Jenn is stopping by this evening. She loves cake. So I put this together really quick:
3 oz pkg cherry jello
1 box white cake mix
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1 tsp almond (or vanilla) extract
Dissolve jello in 1 cup hot water. Cool. Combine mix and oil, beating in eggs one at a time. Blend in cooled jello and extract.
Pour into well greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until done. Frost with a buttercream frosting.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Leadership, Installment #2
Jenn, you asked for it, so here it is: "Focus and execute."
1. Become trustworthy
2. Manage things; lead people
From what I've read, Covey says that a leader communicates to others by words and actions that they are valued and they have tremendous potential to accomplish great things. The leader unites individuals in an organization to become a team by building on the strengths of each one. The strength of one person compensates for the "weakness" of another.
To build an effective team, focus and execute. In other words, zero in on what matters the most, then figure out how to make it happen. Here are the four leadership steps:
- Be a role-model. Set the best example for your team. Be trustworthy (Say what you'll do and do what you say.) Keep a can-do positive attitude.
- Together with the team, determine team priorities. When anyone helps set the priorities, s/he connects emotionally, and will then more likely invest the time and energy needed to achieve.
- Set up manageable systems to achieve results - a way to get things done.
- Empower the team to get results using their talents and skills. Let each one take ownership of their tasks, being responsible to achieve the goal. Remember, HOW the task gets done is not as critical as getting it done. Let creativity flourish.
Well, what do you think?
1. Become trustworthy
2. Manage things; lead people
From what I've read, Covey says that a leader communicates to others by words and actions that they are valued and they have tremendous potential to accomplish great things. The leader unites individuals in an organization to become a team by building on the strengths of each one. The strength of one person compensates for the "weakness" of another.
To build an effective team, focus and execute. In other words, zero in on what matters the most, then figure out how to make it happen. Here are the four leadership steps:
- Be a role-model. Set the best example for your team. Be trustworthy (Say what you'll do and do what you say.) Keep a can-do positive attitude.
- Together with the team, determine team priorities. When anyone helps set the priorities, s/he connects emotionally, and will then more likely invest the time and energy needed to achieve.
- Set up manageable systems to achieve results - a way to get things done.
- Empower the team to get results using their talents and skills. Let each one take ownership of their tasks, being responsible to achieve the goal. Remember, HOW the task gets done is not as critical as getting it done. Let creativity flourish.
Well, what do you think?
Friday, January 20, 2006
Share The View
Here's a thought-provoking story a friend shared with me:
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man wasallowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendents to take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
...There must be a message in that story somewhere. Perhaps there is beauty in the world that can only be seen, not with our physical eyes, but with our spiritual eyes. And maybe we have the opportunity to share that beauty with someone who may not see it and be discouraged. The two guys in the hospital developed a wonderful friendship. The guy who did the sharing may have gotten more out of it than the guy who was listening, because he was challenged to describe the beauty in a way the other could see it as well, and he shared of himself and his insights with the other.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man wasallowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed.One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendents to take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
...There must be a message in that story somewhere. Perhaps there is beauty in the world that can only be seen, not with our physical eyes, but with our spiritual eyes. And maybe we have the opportunity to share that beauty with someone who may not see it and be discouraged. The two guys in the hospital developed a wonderful friendship. The guy who did the sharing may have gotten more out of it than the guy who was listening, because he was challenged to describe the beauty in a way the other could see it as well, and he shared of himself and his insights with the other.
Monday, January 16, 2006
She's Arrived!
Just received a call from A. She's sounding happy to be in Paris. Some drama before arriving...not only was her first flight from Burlington cancelled, after boarding the following day, everyone was asked to leave the plane because of mechanical difficulties. She waited all day in the airport before boarding for her connecting flight. She made it to Newark with no time to spare. In fact, they held the plane for her while she literally ran to make the flight. Then for a surreal experience, she met Bly, a classmate from her school, on the same flight to Paris.
Addie reports very little sleep on the plane, so she actually pulled an all-nighter. Her luggage did not arrive when she did, but it will be delivered to her sometime today.
Addie is staying in a Parisian flat with a young woman and her 4 yr old daughter. She starts classes today, a 20 minute metro ride to the school. Among her classes are an Intro to the Louvre, and French fashion.
May she have a safe and happy Spring semester!
Addie reports very little sleep on the plane, so she actually pulled an all-nighter. Her luggage did not arrive when she did, but it will be delivered to her sometime today.
Addie is staying in a Parisian flat with a young woman and her 4 yr old daughter. She starts classes today, a 20 minute metro ride to the school. Among her classes are an Intro to the Louvre, and French fashion.
May she have a safe and happy Spring semester!
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Bon Jour, Addie K.
I just returned from taking Adriene to the airport. After a cancelled flight last night - due to fog - she is now en route to Paris. We are so eager to hear about her arrival, her new adventures and travels, and about the family with whom she is staying. I gave her all the motherly advice I could think of, but I forgot to remind her to keep a daily journal. Now she does not need all these motherly reminders, but I feel so much better when I give it my all imparting my wisdom.
Believe me, dear Adriene, you think you'll remember all the details of your trip, but 20 years from now -- No -- just one year from now, you will forget a lot. So use a blog, and/or a handwritten journal, and promise to record in it each day. I can't wait to see all your pix. Promise one for me at your favorite bridge!
Geo is at another winter sports weekend. He's supposed to snowshoe, but with our unseasonably warm weather, the snow has disappeared! Imagine that! for Jan. in VT. (Latest weather report has winter advisories, so snow is on the way!) So I hear he will go rock-climbing. Yes, you've heard it here, Geo is rock-climbing. Sean M. P., you may have another partner on your next adventure in Mexico!
Jenn is off to lunch with Becca (and friend), the last time they'll get togeher before the semester begins. Saw Becca yesterday - she looks terrific. So sorry we won't all be together for Superbowl, our neighborhood tradition. It may be a smaller group this year, with the girls off to college to get more knowledge.
On the stove at this very moment, homemade chicken soup ( complete with Kluski). Needs my attention. Gotta go, miss you, Addie K., with all our love.
Believe me, dear Adriene, you think you'll remember all the details of your trip, but 20 years from now -- No -- just one year from now, you will forget a lot. So use a blog, and/or a handwritten journal, and promise to record in it each day. I can't wait to see all your pix. Promise one for me at your favorite bridge!
Geo is at another winter sports weekend. He's supposed to snowshoe, but with our unseasonably warm weather, the snow has disappeared! Imagine that! for Jan. in VT. (Latest weather report has winter advisories, so snow is on the way!) So I hear he will go rock-climbing. Yes, you've heard it here, Geo is rock-climbing. Sean M. P., you may have another partner on your next adventure in Mexico!
Jenn is off to lunch with Becca (and friend), the last time they'll get togeher before the semester begins. Saw Becca yesterday - she looks terrific. So sorry we won't all be together for Superbowl, our neighborhood tradition. It may be a smaller group this year, with the girls off to college to get more knowledge.
On the stove at this very moment, homemade chicken soup ( complete with Kluski). Needs my attention. Gotta go, miss you, Addie K., with all our love.
Friday, January 06, 2006
It's All About Keeping Promises
Had an enjoyable conference in Albany. An easy drive both ways.
So Jen's interested in working on new habits for the new year. How about leadership habits? Covey has a lot to say about that. I'm about 1/3 the way through his book on the eighth habit.
What is the number one main quality of a leader? Central to leadership, according to Covey, is trustworthiness. People are motivated and inspired to accomplish projects by leaders who earn their trust. If one is not trustworthy, she may (or may not) be a good manager of tasks, but she will not be a true leader.
How does one become trustworthy? That needs to start with yourself. You need a certain measure of self-esteem and confidence before you venture to make significant contributions in your community, or sphere of influence. Covey says it all boils down to making and keeping promises first of all to yourself, then to others. Start on a small scale for self-esteem and trust to grow.
For example, you decide to rise early in the morning to go out for a walk. You set the alarm for 6:00 AM. The next morning at 6:00 AM the alarm rings. You've already made the decision to rise early, so the automatic response should be to get up. HOWEVER, there's the power of choice. You immediately decide to get up, OR, you decide to roll over and go back to sleep. If you go back to sleep, you have just broken a promise to yourself. You've lost a little self-esteem; you've demonstrated to yourself that you were unable to use your will power to follow through on a decision you had made.
We do this over and again throughout the day: we decide what it is we are going to do, then we either accomplish it or we don't. When we "walk the talk," say what we do and do what we say, we become more trustworthy and we grow in good character as we freely make good choices. So we need to decide and plan carefully what it is we want to do, then follow through. Our self-confidence grows and we may then continue to choose to do bigger and better things.
What do you think about that?
So Jen's interested in working on new habits for the new year. How about leadership habits? Covey has a lot to say about that. I'm about 1/3 the way through his book on the eighth habit.
What is the number one main quality of a leader? Central to leadership, according to Covey, is trustworthiness. People are motivated and inspired to accomplish projects by leaders who earn their trust. If one is not trustworthy, she may (or may not) be a good manager of tasks, but she will not be a true leader.
How does one become trustworthy? That needs to start with yourself. You need a certain measure of self-esteem and confidence before you venture to make significant contributions in your community, or sphere of influence. Covey says it all boils down to making and keeping promises first of all to yourself, then to others. Start on a small scale for self-esteem and trust to grow.
For example, you decide to rise early in the morning to go out for a walk. You set the alarm for 6:00 AM. The next morning at 6:00 AM the alarm rings. You've already made the decision to rise early, so the automatic response should be to get up. HOWEVER, there's the power of choice. You immediately decide to get up, OR, you decide to roll over and go back to sleep. If you go back to sleep, you have just broken a promise to yourself. You've lost a little self-esteem; you've demonstrated to yourself that you were unable to use your will power to follow through on a decision you had made.
We do this over and again throughout the day: we decide what it is we are going to do, then we either accomplish it or we don't. When we "walk the talk," say what we do and do what we say, we become more trustworthy and we grow in good character as we freely make good choices. So we need to decide and plan carefully what it is we want to do, then follow through. Our self-confidence grows and we may then continue to choose to do bigger and better things.
What do you think about that?
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
The Challenge
A new year, a time for new beginnings.
Addie picked up a copy of Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. She challenged me to read a chapter a day. Simple enough. I've taken her up on it. Today is chapter three: What Drives Your Life?
I've also picked up Covey's The Eighth Habit. Now Covey recommends a chapter a month of his book. The concepts are a bit more complex. It's interesting reading the two books simultaneously.
Today I'm off to Albany for a conference. I'm looking forward to few days change of pace. I'm taking along Rick Warren and Stephen Covey. Also Raymond Chandler. Away from the usual routine, maybe I'll get a little more reading accomplished.
Should be an easy pleasant drive. I hope the weather is cooperative.
An easy beginning to what promises to be a very busy month. More later...
Addie picked up a copy of Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. She challenged me to read a chapter a day. Simple enough. I've taken her up on it. Today is chapter three: What Drives Your Life?
I've also picked up Covey's The Eighth Habit. Now Covey recommends a chapter a month of his book. The concepts are a bit more complex. It's interesting reading the two books simultaneously.
Today I'm off to Albany for a conference. I'm looking forward to few days change of pace. I'm taking along Rick Warren and Stephen Covey. Also Raymond Chandler. Away from the usual routine, maybe I'll get a little more reading accomplished.
Should be an easy pleasant drive. I hope the weather is cooperative.
An easy beginning to what promises to be a very busy month. More later...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)