Friday, July 25, 2008

Staying Connected

Today has been a great day of reconnecting with my Barbour family. Working from home most of the time has one drawback—not getting to see my coworkers nearly as often. So I really look forward to my days in the office, and today did not disappoint. I came in especially for a company-wide meeting for which our wonderful executive team cooked a delicious breakfast. We periodically have these meetings just to update all employees on any other general Barbour news. Our executive team was happy to report that business is good—that’s what we like to hear! :)

Becky, Susan, and I also met to just chat about new fiction ideas, vent and sympathize over shared editor frustrations, and plan for the upcoming ACFW conference. We can’t believe it’s just eight weeks away! We hope we’ll get to connect with many of you in Minneapolis this year. It’s great that modern technology lets us stay connected from miles away, but it’s even better to interact face-to-face once in awhile.

Now, my in-office day is ending, and I’m headed to Canton’s Balloon Classic Invitational, one of my family's favorite summer events. We’re excited to take Jodi for the first time. Her first word after dada and mama was balloon, so we think it’s appropriate! :)

Happy weekend!

7 comments:

Debby Mayne said...

A balloon festival! How fun! I can't wait to hear about Jodi's reaction. I hope you got pics.

I know what you mean about liking some face-to-face contact. That's why I love the ACFW conference! I wasn't able to make it last year, so this year will be even more special.

Janet Spaeth said...

I love the idea of the executive team making breakfast for everybody. Say, here's an idea! I give you my boss's email and you drop him a nice little note....

The balloon festival sounds fun. We used to go to the one in Albuquerque, and JoAnne, guess what! GREAT photo ops! Jodi by a blue balloon. Jodi by a red balloon. Jodi by a rainbow balloon. She'll have a blast! And you'll share the photos with us, right?

I'm anxious to see everybody in Minneapolis. It's like a family reunion!

(By the way, my daughter's first words were paper and kitty. My son? Ah, my son. Abracadabra! OKAY! from his carseat. Seriously. Even then he was an overachiever!)

Have a great time at the balloon festival, and keep that camera at hand!

Jennifer Johnson said...

JoAnne,

Sounds like a lot of fun. I can't wait to see you all again in September. :-D

JoAnne said...

Can you BELIEVE I forgot my camera??? I'm still kicking myself. But we had a wonderful time! Beautiful weather and beautiful balloons. Guess this is just one experience I'll have to remember with pictures in my mind.

Jodi loved seeing the balloons and kept pointing and staring up in to the sky to watch them while saying "bloon, bloon, bloon" :) She enjoyed graham crackers and a bottle while her parents enjoyed Coldstone Creamery. Lovely! :)

Janet, Doug and I were just talking tonight that our vacation plans in the next few years will have to include going to the big balloon festival in Albuquerque. Doug used to go on missions trips to NM in college and has wanted to go back, and I have some good friends who live there.

Thanks for the comments, ladies. Again, I'm so sorry I don't have pictures to share :( I look forward to seeing you all in September, too!

Vickie McDonough said...

JoAnne,

Tulsa has a big balloon fest the beginning of August each year. You could come to it and speak to our ACFW chapter while you're here. :)

My third son was scared to death of balloons. I think his older brother popped one in his face. But this kid didn't like clowns eithers. Now he's a soldier.

Carrie Turansky said...

Oh, I love to see hot air balloons! How fun. I am glad you all enjoyed that together.

I am looking forward to ACFW as well. It is always such a fun and encouraging time to be with my writer friends and have the opportunity to talk to editors and agents. See you there!
Carrie

Mary Connealy said...

it sounds like a great day, JoAnne. I need to go do something different, off the wall, outside my comfort zone.
That would probably include anything that gets me out from behind a computer or a book.

I don't think I'll rush into it, though. :)