Homeowners Association Newsletter

The project:
Compose, design, layout newsletter for homeowners' association.

Time:
One hour.

Why bother?
As a board member, this has been among my assigned duties these past three years. This is my last issue.

Worth it?
If people read it, find anything useful in it, or at least cut out the phone contact box of NEW board members so they can have their needs met quickly, then yes. But I'm glad, as an out-going board member, to finally be (almost) finished with this assignment.

Served Ice Cream & Helped Clean Up (more dishes!)

For those who receive updates via e-mail, please note there are related photos at the blog site here.

The project:
Made ice cream and served it to all comers at an ice cream social, then washed the dishes.

Time:
Including standing around and visiting while the ice cream froze? Well, I suppose about an hour, but of that I'd say 15 minutes was spent pouring, serving and cleaning.

Why bother?
When half a dozen local families got together for an ice cream social commemorating Nancy Johnson's 1946 patent of the ice cream, the idea was to share the day, share our recipes, share the outcome. It seemed only fair to share the cleanup, too.

Worth it?
Mmmmmm....Double Lemon Sherbet, Peppermint Ice Cream, Strawberry Soybert, and Good Ol' Vanilla, plus a plethora of toppings, beautiful weather, a wonderful setting for kids to explore, good company. Yep. Worth it.

Lunch with a Nonagenarian

The project:
A midday visit with the girls' great grandmother, and socializing with other residence of the residence.

Time:
3 hours

Why bother?
Great grandma's are special treats, especially these who are quick to giggle, willing to tap dance with cane in hand, and encourage the kids' creations no matter how elementary. We've also become familiar with some of the other residents, and I suspect none of the residents have TOO MUCH company.

Worth it?
Absolutely - what a marvelous day!

Pull Over an RV (and save his power cord)

The project:
Catch the attention of the driver of a pickup pulling a fifth wheel at 60 mph; "talk" him into pulling over; tell him about the live power cord that was dragging on the ground.

Time:
5 minutes max

Why bother?
This heavy, black cord connecting the trailer to the truck was the charging cord. It probably had some pretty decent power going through it at times, and I figured a short ('caused by dragging) could prove dangerous for them at some point. Plus, the cord's anywhere from $50 to $200 to replace. I'd sure want someone to flag ME down!

Worth it?
Yes.

Though, through our closed windows and theirs, I tried to communicate that there was a problem with the trailer, the driver and passenger were baffled. I pulled ahead of them, then pulled off at the first safe place. They were slow to roll down their window as I walked back, but, boy, the look of surprise on the driver's face when I told him, and the smile and thanks that followed (plus just knowing I may have saved them a hassle and some bucks down the road) were well worth it.

Photo courtesy Jeremy Brooks under Creative Commons license.

Commiserate with Crash Victim

The project:
Hear out the owner of a beautifully restored vintage VW Bug after it was totaled in an accident.

This accident occurred just outside our grocery store's parking lot shortly before we arrived. The tow truck and police were already on scene, and all the parties were sitting on the grocery store's wall and were unscathed. The silver VW Bug was not. It had been a beautiful thing, and it was clearly not going to be repairable - the passenger's side was completely caved in and the floor had buckled down to the ground. The girls and I took some time out to hear out the Bug owner - it had been his pride and joy. He was trying to come to terms with its loss as they cranked it up onto the flatbed tow truck to haul it away.

Time:
10 minutes or so

Why bother?
Everyone looked physically fine, but the poor guy and his kid were just sitting there staring at the car. I have SOME idea what kind of work goes into building a car, the blood (literally), sweat, cash, tears, hours and energy. I felt SO bad for him.

Worth it?
I suppose. He seemed like he needed to talk about the car (not the accident) and ponder his options aloud.

Carried a Busy Mom's Bags

The project:
Take a load off for a mom with her hands full - grab her extra bags and carry them to their destination.

Time:
Moments

Why bother?
My girls are big enough to lend a hand now, but it hasn't been so long that I've forgotten what a job it is to juggle all the extra bags that come with parenthood. In this case, the overloaded mom was carrying her purse, some other clunky bag and a lunch bag, all while trying to order a beverage to go with her picnic lunch.

Life's much easier when one hand is free.

Worth it?
Yes.

Cheer a Tired DJ

The project:
Call our friendly "neighborhood" public radio station and cheer up one of our favorite hostesses (aka DJs).

Time:
5 minutes or so

Why bother?
If we're within earshot of a radio on the Central Coast any given Saturday, chances are we're listening to KCBX which features a (mostly) fantastic Saturday lineup. As a regular listener, we've gotten used to these hosts and hostesses, the sound of their voices, their cadences. Today, it sounded like one of our favorites was just super tired. Like she could use a little lift. So I picked up the phone.

Worth it?
Yes - At first she was skeptical. I'm sure she was wondering what I REALLY wanted. But I just assured her that we really enjoy her show, look forward to Saturdays, and hoped she was feeling better soon. We started talking and her spirit seemed SO lifted that I just about choked up myself!