Author Archives: Mindy

Five Tips for Public Speaking

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While I was in Florida, I stepped outside of my comfort zone and took on a little public speaking assignment. Believe it or not there is no photographic evidence of me standing behind the podium, but—scout’s honor—I did get up there and speak to 150+ people.

It is probably better that there was no one there snapping pictures, as the flash may have made me forget all that I had planned to say. Now that my nerves have settled, I can truly say it was a wonderful event. I haven’t had any public speaking events in quite some time and it was great to stretch my muscles. In case you’re going to be speaking to a group anytime soon, here are my top five tips:

Use bulleted notes. For me, having a list of the highlights I want to cover works far better than drafting up my full speech. With a full speech, it is easy to lose your place, then you’re palms start sweating and you’re left stumbling over your own words. Or, even worse, you end up reading the full speech word for word without looking up from your script. I tend to stick to bullet points that will jog my memory. If there are specific numbers I need to remember, I make notes beneath the bullets so I can find them quickly. 

Know your subject matter. Yes, it is obvious, but it is true. If you’re unsure of what you’re speaking about, you won’t be confident or comfortable up on stage and it will show. At this event I was speaking on government regulations that are creating opportunities in shop repair and other areas for highway-based businesses. I’ve researched and written about the topic enough to know that I had good information to share. I think that is key.

Practice in front of the mirror. You’ll feel ridiculous, but it helps. Believe me. The night before the presentation, I used my bulleted list and gave my full speech in front of the mirror a few times. I stumbled and stammered, but better to do it there than in front of the group. 

Find a friendly face in the audience, or better yet, find the people who are taking notes. It will help put you at ease. I knew several of the people in the audience, so I turned to them when I started feeling nervous. I especially loved the note takers and those who nodded in agreement at the event. Thank you to all those kind souls.

Relax. Smile. Take a deep breath. Remember that people are people and even if you mess us, your audience will probably be forgiving. If worse comes to worst, crack a joke, laugh at yourself and invite your audience to laugh with you. Luckily, this didn’t happen to me.  

Florida (Without Kids)

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It has been about four years since I’ve traveled without my kids, so heading to Florida last month was bittersweet. I was sad to leave my little family behind, especially since it is the first time I’d been away from Miss Madelyn and only the third time I’d been away from my little guy. On the plus side, it was a nice change of pace to only have to worry about myself. Here are a few things I realized from traveling alone again.

Security is a breeze without kids. I normally have milk, bags of toys, snacks, lollipops and at least three coloring books with me. That is in addition to my laptop, changes of clothes, car seats, a stroller, diapers, wipes and my own reading material (because even though I know I will never have time to read for pleasure, I hold out hope and bring something along anyway). That is a long way of saying I am THAT person—the one you try not to get behind in the security line. This time, I just had to whip out my laptop and slip off my shoes (and no one else’s). I did have to go through the full-body scanner at the airport, which I really don’t like, but then again, after nursing Madelyn for the past nine months, I’ve probably shown more inadvertently when my little lady flipped off my nursing cover.

The lavatories on airplanes suddenly seemed larger. The last time I flew I navigated the lavatory with Evan by my side and Madelyn strapped on my front in the Baby Bjorn. It was tight. Really tight.  

The odds of getting upgraded to first class are much greater when traveling solo. Somehow I found myself in first class on the first leg of my trip. That definitely would not have happened with a preschooler and infant in tow. I’m not quite sure how it happened and, even as I was sipping my pre-takeoff Diet Coke, I kept expecting someone to direct me back to coach. No one did and I loved every minute of my first-class adventure. Unfortunately I was back in coach with the masses on my way home, but it was nice while it lasted.

Looking out the window was not nearly as much fun. As I looked down on the clouds, I suddenly longed for my little guy to be sitting on my lap. His little face would have lit up when he realized we were above the clouds. He would have asked questions and soaked it all in. As we neared the ground, he would have pointed out the houses, trees and swimming pools that all look so pristine from the air. I love seeing the world through his eyes and missed having him with me. Luckily, we’re heading back next month for a family vacation and I can’t wait to see my guy’s reaction when he gets to meet Mickey in person and check out the superheroes at Universal Studios. 

 

Happy Birthday Bryan

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Today is my sweet hubby’s birthday. Here is a little look at just a few of the things I love about him. 
 
He is smart. I secretly love to hear him talk accounting. Every so often I get to listen in when he takes a call from home and I am always impressed. 
 
He takes care of our family. He always has a plan and I love knowing he thinks through all of our major decisions.
 
He loves Cops and will watch it anytime it is on. 
 
He creates Excel spreadsheets with our family budget and quizzes me on it weekly. I actually think its kind of cute. 
 
He is funny. He makes me laugh and I love his sense of humor. 
 
He let’s me entertain my every whim. When we lived in Illinois he tried to teach me how to play baseball. It was my idea, and he patiently pitched over and over while I swung away without ever actually hitting the ball. He didn’t complain when I hung up the new bat and put away the ball never to get them out again. 
 

He has boys’ days with Evan. They usually involves Dunkin Donuts, ice skating and/or the Lego store. Evan loves it. 
 
He let’s me steal the covers. Sometimes he takes them back, but more often than not, he let’s me have them.
 
He always shares his Twix. He doesn’t mind when I steal a sip of his Diet Coke and he always brings me home dessert when the company takes him out for a nice dinner.  
 

Happy birthday, Bryan. Thanks for being such a great hubby and an excellent daddy.  

What’s Brewing at Our House

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Work: 

–The past month has been the busiest I’ve ever had as a freelancer. All of my project that are brewing right now will be complete and turned in by Wednesday afternoon next week. I’m going to celebrate by writing for fun, reading blogs and watching some junk TV (Jersey Shore, here I come!). 
 
–The tech-heavy article I am writing on alternative refrigeration power sources is finally coming together. I’ve learned so much and can’t believe the amazing things scientists are doing. Did you know you can use waste heat from a truck engine to create cool air? 
 
–Yesterday I packed my bags and flew to Florida. Today I’ll be speaking on a panel about trends in fuel and freight, and growth opportunities for highway-based businesses. I can’t wait to learn from everyone else and share what I know. I’m also as nervous as can be. I need to practice my presentation about 50 more times in the next few hours. 
 
Home:
 
–We’re starting the much-dreaded (on my part) process of breaking Madelyn of her pacifier. I’ve suspected it was a problem, but both the pediatrician and a pediatric dentist told me this week we should give it the heave-ho. While the paci didn’t cause the growth issues with her mouth, it isn’t helping things. 
 
–On the bright side, I’m in Florida for four days, which means I won’t be here for the worst of the paci-detox we’re sure to endure. Part of me is sad that I won’t be here to comfort my little sweetie, but I won’t lie, I’m looking forward to missing all of the crying. I’m hoping Bryan will take this opportunity to re-train Madelyn on the sleep front. Hint, hint. 
 
–My mom and brother flew in to watch my kiddos while I work. Thanks, mom, for coming to the rescue! And, Uncle Duane, you know how much Evan loves to play superheroes with you. Thanks.
 
–Birthday prep for my hubby and my little guy is underway. I have to wrap up Bryan’s shopping before I leave since I return home on his actual b-day. By next weekend, I need to whip up 17 superhero capes for Evan’s four-year-old birthday bash. That may or may not happen.  I’ll keep you posted. 
 
–My friends have been in the news lately! My friend Marie is quoted in this Time article on Why Biofuels Help Push Up World Food Prices (it is an interesting piece). My cousin’s hubby is featured in this article in the Wall Street Journal on watching the Super Bowl via DVR.
 
Stay tuned. I’ll be posting more next week about flying without kids for the first time in almost four years (those airplane lavatories seem so much bigger when there isn’t a preschooler and infant tagging along with you), speaking in front of a large group and, of course, the birthday plans. 

Red Hearts, Sources and Special Occasion Planning

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This week:

–I am bound and determined to add some Valentine’s flair to our house. I love the 3-D garland above from Pottery Barn Kids. It isn’t available anymore, so I might tackle it as a DIY project. 

–I hope to find sources to talk to me about resonant macrosonic synthesis for a feature due next week. It is turning out to be even harder than I thought it would be. Any recommendations are welcome.

–I will catch up on e-mail and phone calls. I can’t thank my friends enough for being patient with me! You know who you are!

–I have to clean like crazy. I think every room in my house needs attention. 

–I might shed a tear when I attend an open house to learn more about kindergarten options for Evan. When did my baby stop being a baby? 

–I am going to try not to get distracted by the new-to-me blog the Nie Nie Dialogues. 

–My little guy and I will pen Valentine’s cards for his class. 

–I will plot out birthday plans for the special boys in my life. Their special days are coming up fast.

 

An Awesome Book from my Bookshelf

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You know those little things that make you smile—like twisting the lid off the jar when no one else could and getting buried under a pile of blankets on a cold night? Neil Pasricha is a genius and compiles them all in his book, The Book of Awesome, and on his blog, 1,000 Awesome Things. 

My sweet friend Sandy gave me the book last year and it instantly became one of my favorites (hence all of the fingerprint smudges on the cover). I smile every time I read it. I love paying attention to the little things in life and this book inspires me to notice the awesome things all around me.

While the book was gift enough, Sandy took it to the next level and slipped customized notes into the pages of the book. They recount memories of each other—talking on the phone late at night and road trips we’ve taken together. She also let me know she is hoping I can get some much needed sleep! 

A friend that gives you a perfect gift and then makes it even better with a personal touch? AWESOME! Thank you, Sandy, for adding this great book to my bookshelf. I love it! Thanks, too, for being such a great friend. 

Pat the Puppy, Bunny and Cat

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Shhh….don’t tell Evan, but I let Madelyn read his copies of Pat the Puppy, Pat the Cat and Pat the Bunny books last week. These are some of Evan’s favorites, so I know he’d reach over and rescue them from Madelyn’s grip if he knew she liked them. And definitely don’t mention that the corner of one the books ended up in Madelyn’s mouth. It will be our secret.

These have been some of Evan’s favorites for years. He knows every word in each of them and heaven help me if I can only find Pat the Puppy when he is in the mood for Pat the Bunny. Tears. Tears I tell you. I try to make sure all of our Pat books are together on the shelf to reduce the risk of a pre-bedtime meltdown. Have any of you read the Pat the Pony or Tickle the Pig books in this series (if you can call it a series)? I’ve seen them on Amazon but I haven’t read them yet. They might be good additions to our collection.