Good Morning...It has already been a long morning starting at 4am for me to do a cake. The cake was not so bad, I was decorating using whipped icing which is my least favorite to use...Turned out cute though I think for being asked last minute to do a cake.

Last night we had our PSO meeting. We have been trying to save up for playground equipment but at the same time help out teachers with getting things for the school, Music Program (things to be kept and used year to year), True Blue Friday Awards (Spirit Day) and Reading/Math Awards. The kids work so hard to earn this stuff and so much goes into getting the awards and stuff. So we have been helping and these are the things we usually help out with. We wanted to purchase an X Wave2 for the playground (Will post picture and hope it shows, have never done that before on here) anyway the cost of that with shipping would have emptied the PSO acct and we would not have been able to A) Help with anything else this year including Math/Reding Awards and Music Program Stuff and B) Would leave nothing to start with next year and we always try to leave funds to roll over. So we chose to help out other places. We keep being told by parents that more Play Equipment is needed. They complain but they don't come to meetings, they don't send any info. They get reminders of the meetings, they have an email in the newsletters for me if they want to send info or thoughts for the meetings and signs are posted at the school on the day of the meeting yet we only have around 10 who come but when we help out at class parties we are the first for them to complain to that we aren't doing enough. Well funds are limitted. We have to do what we can with what we have and the Help/Support we get. Without that not as much can be done.

We opted to help out these other programs so I am sure we will start hearing more complaints but when you don't bring in enough from the fund raisers, parents don't wanna work to sale anything and with times the way they are it is hard to come up with extra donations, so things are as they are!

If anyone feels like they want to help out NWH to get new play equipment, call NWH and ask how to donate to the PSO or if you know of any organizations who would be willing to help with the cost of new playground equipment let us know or talk to them. All help is appreciated. We had talked about next year maybe trying to help with the Special Needs Play area, they are currently not ready for anything but next year should be and will be looking for things so we had wanted to try and get things or at least 1 piece for that area but again, Budget is an issue, Support from other Parents, is an issue.

Sorry off on my PSO bender again, That is something I am very involved in though and I can't be quiet about it!!!

Hello everyone, I know it has been a while since my last post but I had so much fun this weekend. We had our Woodmen of the World State Convention this weekend. I have been a state officer for the last 4 years and have loved it. For those who don't know what Woodmen is...It is an Insurance Company with a Fraternal Organization. We do lots of stuff to help in communities and to educate people about what the flag means and what it means to be patriotic. We donate playground equipment and do service including National projects including, Join Hands Day, Make a Difference Day, Flags across America Day and 9/11 remembrance. It is a really good group. Locally we have lodges that do all kinds of projects. We have picnics and game nights and all kind fun and business meetings. For more information www.woodmen.com on a state level we also give college scholarships to members who are in good standing...I served on the committee that approved those for 2 years, then a Trustee and got to audit the books for the last 2 years and now I am secretary. Hopefully I won't be too weighed down but I am so excited.

Over the weekend, we checked into the Hotel on Friday afternoon, that evening we had the Youth from our lodge come and do a presentation. Our theme for the weekend was Red Neck Weekend. The youth took this and did a presentation about the flag. We had a grandma rocking in a rocking chair, speaking as red neck as possible and her grandson came in and also spoke redneck and he had a report to do for school on 10 flags...So we grandma told him of 10 American Flags and we had the flags brought in as she told of each, at the end of this they told the meaning of the pledge http://www.poofcat.com/july.html Then they acted out a poem as read... http://www.ellenbailey.com/poems/ellen_348.htm this was also read http://www.usflag.org/poetry.html#IAM
after the youth there was a memorial service for each of the members who had passed away during the 2007-2008 years since our last convention, the I had made a special Memorial video in memory of a man who passed away in our lodge who was also a Past State President. It was very good.

Oh to back up on Saturday we had several members that went to the dedication of where new play equipment is to be put that we are getting for a park (My husband was helping with registration as I took a nap from not sleeping the night before with my bronchitis)

Saturday we started our meetings and we had a special address from someone welcoming us to the city. This year it was a lady from the office of OKC tourism and she brought info about the City and coupons. We also had special guests, The President of Woodmen and Dr. James Shaver a National Director. They addressed us as well and it was a really good time. We heard that during this tough time, WOW is still going strong and not loosing money. During this time with other Financial institutions droppingin ratings we are still an A+ Company which is the 2nd Highest ranking. Woodmen offers Life and medical insurance, Annuities, Cancer Benefits, Newborn benefits, Rx discounts for members, fraternalism and this includes Camps for children 8 and older and Senior camps for the older people who also would like to go. With all their programs, we have no stock holders, no playing the market with your money, they are still coming out on top. and it is looking brighter each day.

Saturday afternoon was free to enjoy OKC, Ryan and I used this time to do Easter shopping, easter dresses for the girls and something to go in each on. then that evening we had our Redneck banquet where everone could come dressed up as a Redneck, they served Chicken Fried Steak, Mashed Taters, Green Beans and cobber...The table decorations were cups with WOW written on them and tobacco cans on a stick beef jerky, Peanuts, sunflower seeds and RC Cola and a Moonpie at every plate. after this we had a Red Neck Variety show, singing, jokes, skits...I may try to post pics or videos at some other point when I figure that out on here.

Then Sunday morning we finished up meetings, Reports from the commitees who had met to discuss certain things including the nominating committee who nominated Wilma Wright (from my lodge) as State President, John Moy (OKC Lodge) as VP, Me as secretary and Connie Worley (OKC Lodge) as Treasurer. There are also so many more positions, escort, greeter, musician, sgt at arms, trustees, scholarship committee...I have missed on, i can't think. but all positions were filled. Not sure the date of the next Officer meeting but it will be to begin planning for the State Picnic. Ever Even year we have a State Picnic this is just a fun weekend to enjoy with your family. we have games, events, food, bingo, socialization, silent auction, country store, cake walk...a whole weekend of fun on the Odd years we have our State Convention were the State Officers attend as well as delegates from each of the lodges, the # of delegates depends on the # of people who are in your lodge (this does not mean active members but of all that have WOW insurance or other product are considered members).
We try to make the Conventions enjoyable and at the same time do things that will benefit the area we are having the convention, as playground equipment at a park, In the past it has been benches and other things, I usually don't get to go to the dedications for one reason or another so i can't remember what all they have been .

Anyway that was my weekend. It was so much fun.