Whew! Where did the weekend go?

I needed a day after Sunday this weekend to recover! We had our big company event at the Philadelphia Zoo. Basically, we are part of MassMutual, and MassMutual has a program called LifeBridge that is giving away $50k 10-year Term Life Insurance to people who qualify. Qualifications include having a child under the age of 18, being between 19 and 42, earning a household income of $10k - $40k, and being employed. They've been doing this for about 2-3 years but haven't had the success they'd like. We think it's because so many people think there's a catch. Usually there is, but this is truly free and is part of MassMutual's way of giving back to the community. So, they end up spending a lot of time and money publicizing the program, which is only around for another 2 years, so that people know it's there.

So, the event at the zoo was our big push. We signed up people who were eligible and they came to the zoo for free, with their families, where they spent about 15 minutes filling out the application with agents (who don't get paid a thing for this) and giving a blood and urine sample. Then they had the rest of the day to enjoy the zoo. We still only had 21 people, but it seems that anything over 20 is considered a success. It's amazing to me, the amount of energy and money put into giving away something for FREE! It's the only way to get the word out, though.

So, I got there at 8AM to start setting up, and the head of the program met me at the zoo. She had flown in from the main office in Springfield, MA and is great to work with. After walking back and forth through the zoo with stuff, I spent some time taking pictures and escorting people back and forth from the front gate to the pavillion, or from the pavillion to the restroom. I got more exercise than I had in a long time and boy, I felt it! Got home last night and laid about for a while before I did some stitching and went to bed. Couldn't believe it when the clock went off this morning.

I'm soooooo looking forward to getting away to CATS this weekend! I need it after this weekend and the last few weeks, and am leaving about Noonish on Thursday. That way we'll get there about mid-afternoon, get checked in at our motel and then head over to the lodge.

Oh, and I finished Just Nan's Christmas Jewel! I added the beads on Saturday. I will scan it tomorrow so that I can add a picture. I'm currently working on Ouroborous from Dracolair and love it! It will eventually be for Tim.