And didn’t appreciate it.

Today I had a lunch meeting with a business colleague.

• We both love sushi.
• I suggested the restaurant.
• I arrived a few minutes early as I was hosting the lunch.

The parking lot was pretty empty.

• I drove by the door.
• Saw they opened at 11:30 AM.
• I found a nice parking space.

Finally 11:30…

  But I can see you.

Something happened today…

• One of my ears swelled internally.
• It feels like a water balloon in there.
• I can’t hear with that ear.

I’ve had this ear challenge before.

• It’s a pain.
• Will eventually go away.
• (Thankfully I don’t have to fly this week!)

Not hearing with one ear makes conversations interesting.

• I see…

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

• Cynthia
• James
• And Raindrop (of course!)

Makes me think of chapter leaders…what would Santa bring your chapter when he looks at your achievements for 2008 - a lump of coal or fabulous gift?

   At least my version.

One of the great finds of Ann Arbor was the restaurant around the corner from where we live.

• The food was great.
• Everyone knew my name.
• I felt special whenever I went in there.

James and I like to support local businesses.

• This was a perfect fit.
• We did a lot of…

   In Ann Arbor.

He didn’t want his photo taken.

• He was a shy man.
• Maybe 25 years old.
• Talked like he was much younger.

Yesterday afternoon the phone rang.

• James was out.
• It was telemarketer time.
• I debated whether or not to answer it.

“I have your cell phone.”

• I didn’t understand what he was saying.
• And made him repeat…

   Need help!

I’ve been traveling for 12 years.

• Regularly bee-bopping across the country to speak at leadership conferences.
• But never more than a three-hour time zone difference.

Last week I quickly flipped my body clock the five hours difference to Hawaii Time.

• I stayed up late.
• Often laughing about going to bed after the time I would…

    Kept me on my toes!

The last 24 hours saw some of the fiercest storms Honolulu has seen in a while.

I woke up very early to:

• No electricity.
• No water.
• Storms raging.

It put me in a bit of a panic.

• My cell phone was dead.
• I had no bottled water in the room.
• And no food.

Did I also…

  Joke was on me.

I’ve always heard Hawaii described as a slice of paradise.

I think I got off at the wrong airport when I arrived last night.

• I didn’t get lei’d by anyone.
• The traffic was outrageous.
• My hotel felt like Las Vegas on mini-steroids.

Talk about feeling disappointed!

This morning was not any better.

• My…