Job-A-Rama and Masonic Home Day

Well, it's been a very busy weekend for Indiana Job's Daughters and for me as well. I don't know about everyone else, but I know I am still pretty tired.

For those of you who weren't there, Job-A-Rama was a blast. I had a great time having a casual weekend to enjoy with all of my Indiana girls as well as the Supreme Team. I arrived early on Friday to help my Bethel Guardian in the kitchen. Don't worry, anyone! I don't think I actually even touched the food. I was given stickers as part of the Grand Bethel Scavenger Hunt, and I took my hayride. I was reunited with my friend Courtney Painter, the Supreme Bethel Honored Queen, who is from Delaware and whom I was fortunate enough to room with. That night was the latest this weekend for me as some of the Grand Bethel girls and I discussed some of the proposed Ritual revisions. Please Daughters and Adults, I know I can speak on behalf of the Supreme Bethel Honored Queen when I say to please comment on these revisions. This is our organization, and we must take an active part in it if we want it to prosper and grow. The Ritual is one of the cornerstones of our Order, and our voices should be heard.

Saturday was spent doing arts and crafts, the apple pitch, volleyball, and a lawn game. Those journals were really cute. I need to decorate mine, since I didn't get the chance to because Courtney and I ran the apple pitch. I wonder how many states are going to throw stress-ball apples at the Supreme Guardian, Associate Supreme Guardian, and their Supreme Officers. I doubt many others. Well, I've always known that we were unique. Then it came time for the Ugly Bug Ball. I liked my bug the best! We showed Maddy! We honored Vicki Loughmiller, our Supreme Fourth Messenger, and our Supreme Bethel Officers and Representatives. Bethel #107 won the contest, and Bethel #24 won Miss Congeniality. Finally, it was my favorite part of Job-A-Rama, the skits. The Misses and I did a skit about corn and meeting the Supreme Bethel Honored Queen, but mostly about corn. I loved all of the creative skits that all of the Bethels presented. I was so proud that the Supreme Visitors got to see the girls' creativity shine through. I didn't anticipate anyone crying when my Bethel performed "God Bless America" on the ninth anniversary of September 11. I was so happy that everyone had the opportunity to express themselves until it came time for the HIKE pie. It was no surprise when I was the one who was loved enough to receive the pie in the face, but I wasn't alone. I think a little bit of everyone got some of that pie. I can't wait to see the pictures from that. I ate some s'mores, and I went to get some sleep so that I could lead the church service the next morning and last through Masonic Home Day.

Finally it was time for the farewell and the church service. It wasn't much of a farewell since almost everyone had left or was going to Masonic Home Day, but we said farewell to our Supreme Guardian and managed to snap a few photos before Masonic Home Day.

Masonic Home Day was a whirlwind for me. I gave blood for the first time for Elecia's philanthropic project. I'm proud of myself because I didn't pass out. It did make me really tired though on top of the exhaustion from Job-A-Rama. We formed the cross, and Genesis, Mandy, Maddy, and I raced out to get changed for the parade. We made it, but just barely in time. Everything went well, but because of all of my exhaustion, I left just after the parade. I even slept on the way home.

Well, I hope everyone's recovering from this big weekend. Next thing on the calendar is the Official Visits on September 25, so I hope I will see everyone there. I hope everyone had a great time this weekend, and though I would love to keep blogging, I have a meeting I have to get to tonight so this is farewell for now.

4-H Parade!!!

We had a great turnout from my Bethel. There were lots of girls, who weren't exactly raring to go since it was so hot and humid. When they were complaining about having to walk while the girls who were riding as Honored Queen and Senior Princess and I rode on the golf cart, we were telling them we'd rather walk than wear the capes. I thought I was suffocating in mine, but I think the Honored Queen had it worse than I did. That's okay though. Since we have no air-conditioning at my Bethel, we're conditioned to it.

The golf cart was interesting. It's the first time we've ever used one of those in a parade. It was sort of fun though, but with Peggy in the driver's seat, we were going up and down hills to pass people to get in line for the parade. I never know quite what to expect when Peggy's driving. We had to ward off some of the members of the 4-H Rabbit Club who were trying to soak their competition with water guns. We met a Past Honored Queen from our Bethel, and despite sweating half to death thanks to the heat, we waved and smiled like princesses, and finished the parade just before it began to thunder.

Tomorrow, I'm off to the Worthy Grand Matron's Reception. Keep checking back for more news on my travels!