Virtually Groundbreaking: The Countdown

What a go of it we've had!  First the summer Olympics; followed by the primaries; then presidential campaigning; the melt down of the economy; presidential elections; and yesterday the 56th Presidential Inauguration.  Phew! Our country has been busy.

Just when you thought you we were done and you could go back to your quiet corner of the world, Claudia announces Highlowaha's next big event.  We are 28 short days away from Highlowaha's One Year Anniversary and it is time to get our festivities underway.  We can't pull off an event of this size and scope without a lot of preparation and involvement from all of you!

Here's an overview.  Next week we welcome new readers as we spend the week at our Virtual Baby Shower.  The week after (February 2-7) we will finish some of Highlowaha's unfinished business, in an effort to kick the new year off right.  February 9-14 is Red Carpet Week.  While normally I support going green, this week we'll go red.  We will share ideas of fun ways you can prepare for the big event on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. CST.  Did you get that?  Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 p.m. CST.  Mark your calendars.  Oh, and in addition to Red Carpet Week, we'll throw in a creative idea or two to get you ready for Valentine's Day.  

Then comes the the week of February 16-21.  This is a week you won't want to miss!  It is when we will celebrate all our community has accomplished over the past year.  There will be lots of reminiscing, but also some looking ahead.  The main event for week will be Wednesday, February 18.  We are hoping each of you will carve out an hour of your evening, so you can join in our festivities - not to mention celebrate your accomplishments with one another.  

The fun won't stop abruptly on Wednesday, February 18.  In fact, on Thursday, February 19 an important and groundbreaking announcement will be made about the future of Highlowaha.  You won't want to miss it!

Having said all of that, in preparation of our One Year Anniversary festivities, we have some business to conduct.  Wednesday, February 18, at 8:00 p.m. CST we will use our blog to broadcast the...

Highlowaha People's Choice Awards

The People's Choice Awards will allow Highlowaha readers to recognize one another for contributions made to our lively blog.  The event will be the perfect combination of both community and creativity.  Community because you will be honoring one another's efforts and creativity  because we, of course, have to figure out how to make it all happen virtually.

So with no further ado, let us get the nomination process underway.  You will nominate someone by sending me an email at cbeeny@lslog.com and indicating who you think is most deserving (please put People's Choice Award in the subject).  Please include a line or two about why.  There are nine total awards.  Do not post in the blog's comment section or the nominees will not be surprised!  

We will feature three awards each day for the next three days.

Sliced Bread Award

This People's Choice Award will go to the Highlowaha reader who shared an idea you consider the "best thing since sliced bread."  It is an idea you have either utilized or passed on to others.  Please tell the idea he/she shared.

Raising the Bar Award

This People's Choice Award will go to the reader who shared an idea that has, in some way, enhanced the Highlowaha community.  Please share the name of the person and/or the idea submitted.

Good Neighbor Award

This People's Choice Award goes to the reader whose overall participation and contributions to Highlowa have strengthened our blog's community.

Lurkers!  I hope you feel like you can participate in the festivities by casting your vote and by tuning in on Wednesday, February 18 at 8:00 CST.  We know there are a good number of you out there and we are interested in what you have to say!

Finally... a creative idea for the day.  Yesterday was my oldest son's birthday.  He turned 16.  Those of you with teenagers know, they really only want money, so he can buy... in his case a car (Yes, buy.  No free rides in the Beeny household!).  Rather than just give Ricky cash - kind of impersonal and nothing creative about it - we decided to give him "Cold Hard Cash."  

Picture it.  I filled a meatloaf pan with water, laid the bill on top, and froze it.  Once frozen, I added more water on top and froze it again.  In the end, it was a block of ice with a bill on the inside.  Cold Hard Cash.  Love it.

Cheryl, jump in with the creative adaptation you shared with me.

Signing off until tomorrow...