Desert Newcomers is where we find friends and have fun in our new surroundings.
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Desert Newcomers is where we find friends and have fun in our new surroundings. |
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01/21/08 |
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Contact Us: email President,
email Membership VP,
email
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Inspiring quotes and messages from
our 2007 President,
January 2007 I came across the above quote and thought it was appropriate because I am in the middle of revising my life. As this club is dedicated to finding new friends in new surroundings, I’d say there are probably quite a few of you out there who are revising your lives, as well. Some of us revise by choice, as is my case (this time!), and some of us are forced to revise. Whatever the circumstances, I want Desert Newcomers Club to be a place where women go to find friends and develop a support group. To that end, I’m happy to report that we’ve got a great board in place for 2007. Marlene Baker hosted an orientation meeting for the new board which has proven to be a great help in facilitating the transition. Thanks, Marlene! Our board is already thinking outside of the box, and I look forward to an interesting year working with everyone. I’m guilty of belonging to this club for two years and not expanding my horizons. I was participating in a bunco group that met in the afternoon. What a great group of women! Scheduling conflicts necessitated my dropping out of the group. Coincident with my deciding that I really need to get out and meet more people, I was approached by the nominating committee and asked to be president. Boy, are my horizons ever expanding now! I have met more incredible women in the last two months than I’ve met in the last five years. Here’s the cool part: you can too! Being involved with the running of the club is a great way to get to know like-minded women. As of this writing, we still need volunteers for Hospitality, Raffles, Sunshine, Publicity, and Welcome Women. Email Kathy Patten and she can give you a description of the open positions. I’m running out of room, but do want to say that Sunshine is an area that I’d like to see strengthened. If you have any ideas on ways to provide more support to our members dealing with illness, pain, or loss, I’d like to hear from you. Please send me an Email with your suggestions. Your President, Sue Milliken
February 2007 I have a friend who reads people's auras. He sees all sorts of colors like green, red and purple. He says anyone can do it. All it takes is forgetting everything you know and just looking. I've tried it and even though I haven't seen any colors yet, everyone I meet looks so beautiful when I stop knowing everything that it's pretty hard to go back to the old way. Nice thought, isn't it? Desert Newcomers Club is the perfect place to meet new people and practice looking at them and seeing what they project instead of what we project for them. I was once one of the hundreds of women who belong to this club yet did not participate in all it has to offer. There really is something for everybody (and if you don't find anything you like, you are encouraged to start a new activity group). Board positions and volunteer positions open up annually for those of you who want to become more involved. Those positions are excellent ways to meet even more people, and all you need is the willingness to learn. It's nice to be a part of women coming together to empower and encourage each other. I invite you women who have not been attending the monthly Coffee Meeting to attend , if your schedule permits. This is where most prospective members see us for the first time. It's our opportunity to make them feel welcome and help them find an activity they can participate in. Are you the chair or an activities that needs a few more participants? Show up at the Coffee and make a pitch to prospective members! After the coffee, there is an opportunity for members to meet for lunch at a local restaurant. Our board is in the process of finalizing the luncheon sites for this year. When have some old favorites on the list, as well as some new locations that may become old favorites. Put some of these dates on your calendars, and introduce yourselves to me at some of these events. I look forward to meeting you! Your President, Sue Milliken March 2007
I try and get a lot of living in
early in the morning before everyone else gets up, because after that,
it doesn't seem so much like living as it does putting up with stuff. I can remember my mother getting up in the morning way before my dad and brother and sister. I thought she was nuts. Instead of reading and writing, she could have gotten an extra hour of sleep! She would tell me that was the most peaceful time of the day for her. I just didn’t get it. From the time my daughters were three and five I raised them by myself. I remember those hectic years: Never enough time in the day, never enough money in the bank, never enough peace . . . and I never took the time to start the day off for myself. Now my children are all grown up, and one of them has children of her own. Due to circumstances beyond my control (sound familiar to any of you out there??) my seven- and ten-year old granddaughters live with me four to five days a week. This is a choice I’ve made, and I’m glad to be able to give them love, and morale guidance, and a soft place to fall. But this time around I have discovered the beauty of quiet morning time. Better yet, it will soon be brisk (not freezing) in the morning and I can sit outside with a hot cup of tea and my reading material, and charge my batteries. Desert Newcomers is another way to charge your batteries. I wasted years trying to get it all done without taking time out for myself. There is nothing like a network of friends to get you through your life. Having a place where you can come together with women from all walks of life, and choose the few precious gems to be close personal friends, is a gift to you; avail yourself of this gift! Now, a little club business: Please note that we will be holding to the stated closing date for luncheon reservations, so be sure to get your reservations and checks in on time. Thank you. Your President, Sue Milliken
April 2007 At this point in my life, I seem to be finally putting things I “knew” earlier in my life into practice. Well, it’s about time! I started reading self-help books at least 25 years ago. The concept of loving not only others, but yourself as well, is not new. How come it’s taken me this long to put everything together? This little poem just spoke to me. I’ve read it many, many times, and I’ve nodded to myself and thought, “Yes, it’s all about love. Everything in this crazy world should have love as the common denominator.” But today, for the first time, I read this and realized that it’s also applicable to loving yourself, even if, at first, you don’t love yourself back. And it’s all about getting yourself to the point where you do – love yourself. Desert Newcomers provides us a whole new crop of people to practice loving. (Were you wondering how I was going to tie this in?) Some are easier to love than others, but all of us are deserving of love. I hope you all take the opportunity to join in the many activities available to us and meet new people. Before you can go spreading your love around, you need to engage with people. If you are shy and uncomfortable walking up to someone and introducing yourself, just remember: No one joined this club in the hopes of not meeting new people! If you take the first step and speak to someone who is standing or sitting all alone, you will have made them feel SO good. And isn’t that, after all, just another way to give and get love? Go out and have a great day! Your President, Sue Milliken
May 2007 Ever since I left high school, I’ve been working on my Ph.D. The problem is, I was enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks! True epiphanies: had a few; rationalization, denial: done a ton; opportunities: squandered a few. Fortunately, I’ve continued to grow and that’s thanks, in no small part, to a few close friends and family who have given me emotional support along the way. But it is, without a doubt, a lot of hard work. Each one of us has a purpose. Some are lucky enough to stumble upon it early in life. Some of us, however, take a little longer; kind of like that fine wine we women are often compared to. We’ve got to age. For me it has been fun to discover that sharing myself with others allows me to apply the lessons I’ve learned along the way; and applying those lessons is what makes them stick. Wherever you are in your journey – whether you’ve chosen to test the waters with your toes or jump all the way in – make some new friends and get going! Our founder, Irene Macomber, approached me at the last business meeting and asked if I would make an announcement for her at the coffee following the meeting because she would not be able to attend. I told her I would . . . and then I forgot to do it. So this is for you, Irene (and a lot more people will see it than would have heard it at the coffee ). Irene is exploring either starting a new activity group, or possibly a new club, depending on the interest. She feels there may be an interest for older women to get together and meet. She is calling the group, “Just Friends.” They will meet on the 2nd Monday of the month at 11:30. Contact Irene Macomber at 547-3627 for information on the location. Your President, Sue Milliken
June 2007 I'm not sure why this particular item captured my attention today. I think at first glance it seems kind of fatalistic, and maybe that's a little comforting; to think that no matter what you do, you're going to die in the end. But there is really more to it than that: it's all about how you make the journey. And how you touch people along the way. Which bring me to another quote I'm fond of: "If it falls you lot I live to touch the lives of others, be sure to leave them better than you found them." Unknown (but probably a woman!) All of the women who joined this club did so with the expectation of connecting with other women. It's easier for some than for to others. I encourage those of you have time in your schedules to join us at the coffees held on the last Thursday of the month. This is the first point of contact for many of the women who join our club. It's an opportunity for you to meet the women either joining our club or just scoping it out. Public speaking and mingling are not the only things that come naturally to me. If you 're in the same boat, come on out to the coffees - it's the perfect, non-threatening opportunity for you to practice talking to people you don't already know. I hope to see you there!
Your President, Sue Milliken July 2007 The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best. Epictetus 55AC – 135 AD Epictetus said this over eighteen hundred years ago, and there have been variations over the years (Lie down with dogs and you’ll get up with fleas, comes to mind). These sayings stand the test of time because they are true. The concept of guilt by association is something I’m trying to impress upon my granddaughters, ages 7 and 10. But when I saw this quote, I realized how important it is to also make them aware of the possibility of greatness by association. In a favorite little book of mine, The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews, there is a passage that says, I am who my friends are. I speak their language, and I wear their clothes. I share their opinions and their habits. From this moment forward, I will choose to associate with people whose lives and lifestyles I admire. If I associate with chickens, I will learn to scratch at the ground and squabble over crumbs. If I associate with eagles, I will learn to soar to great heights. I am an eagle. It is my destiny to fly. That’s what I want my granddaughters to know. I also want them to know how important it is to have women friends. I hope some day they will have access to a group like Desert Newcomers; a group that is filled with all kinds of women – many of whom soar with the eagles. Go find an eagle! Your President, Sue Milliken
August 2007 I can imagine it working out perfectly, I said. I can’t, she said, and I said no wonder you’re so stressed. Stress Management from Traveling Light by Brian Andreas hew! I’ve selected my inspiration piece . . . now all I have to do is write it before the printing deadline! Shouldn’t be a problem, unless you factor in all the unexpected things that come up in our lives. I used to tell myself that I worked better under pressure, like any good procrastinator. Who in the heck was I kidding? I look back now and realize that I was addicted to the adrenaline rush of drama. Procrastination and drama are just two ways to let stress into your life. And the important thing to remember about stress, ladies, is that it can kill us. Thankfully, I’ve learned that a little planning on my part goes a long way toward preventing drama born from procrastination. I’ve also learned that drama is something you can actually choose to opt out of – that was a biggie for me! When someone else’s negative energy comes swirling into my life, I don’t have to feed it! For the past couple of years I’ve also started the practice of not worrying – and it does take practice! When you get to the point where you can envision how you want any situation to turn out, and you do your very best to make it happen (without worrying), then you’ve got it made; because you can’t always control situations, but you are in charge of how you react to them. Another thing I’ve learned is that laughter heals. If you put yourself in a situation where people are laughing and having a good time, you benefit. Luckily for all of us, Desert Newcomers provides laughter therapy in many guises. Just stop and listen at any luncheon or coffee, and you will hear people laughing. I know the bunco group I belonged to laughed a lot, and I’ll bet that’s the case with most of our activity groups. Our club has over 36o members, and not even a quarter of you are coming to the luncheons and coffees. If you’re not involved in one of our activity groups (or even if you are!), come on out to a luncheon or coffee – I know you’ll hear something that will make you laugh, and you just might meet someone who will turn into a friend. Your President, Sue Milliken September
2007 Yes! I had that giant block! In fact, I had more than one. It’s amazing to me now the things I was willing to struggle with when I was younger. I can remember my chiropractor once asking me if I had a tree by my front door. When I replied in the affirmative, she suggested I think of my work-related problems as a coat that I take off and hang on the tree upon arriving home at the end of the day. In the morning, I could put the coat back on and proceed to work. I can remember actually thinking, “Cool, I can let go of my burden for a little while.” Today I wonder, Why in the heck was I putting the coat back on??? We do have to find ways of dealing with
things we cannot change. Sometimes it’s hard to see that we have
choices, because some of the choices aren’t what we want. But we always
have choices. Instead of banging our heads against a wall, and wailing
about the unfairness of things, we need to decide on a course of action
and do what needs to be done. When we do that, our energy is focused on
doing something to get us to a better place. No more wasted energy, no
more blaming others, no more shrugging on that big, ugly, useless
coat that you left hanging by your front door. Often the best way to figure out what your choices are is to have a friend to use as a sounding board. Just stating a problem out loud can help put it into perspective. Desert Newcomers offers a place for you to come and find a friend. Being president of the board has put me in contact with several women that I know I will stay in touch with for life. If I hadn’t been on the board, I never would have met them. I can’t imagine! Think about it! Your President, Sue Milliken Ocotober
2007 A friend sent me this quote the other day. She sent it to me because we had just discussed a change I’m making in my life. I’ve spent the last three years working with her starting up a non-profit organization. Of course I believe in its purpose, and I didn’t want to let her down, but I’ve come to realize that being the executive director is no longer what I want to be doing with most of my time. I’ll still be on the board, I’ll still be the biggest cheerleader; I just don’t want to be the driving force anymore. At this time in my life, I want to be doing things that make me come alive. I’m taking steps to make that happen. Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut? Maybe all you need is to start doing little things differently. Shop in a store you don’t normally shop in, or go to a new restaurant and eat something you’ve never had before. Take a different way home and you might see something you’ve never seen before. Open yourself to new experiences. Do you feel like you no longer know what you’re passionate about? Allow yourself to think outside of the box. Start reading about a subject you’ve long been interested in but never pursued. Keep your eyes open so when an interesting opportunity presents itself, you don’t pass it by. Wake up your brain and make sure it knows you’re alive and on the move! You already belong to a club full of interesting women who do interesting things. Why not join one of the activity groups you’ve never been to? Look at the volunteer positions listed in the front of this newsletter. It doesn’t take a lot of individual work to keep this club running, but it does take a lot of women doing that work. I speak from experience when I say that serving on the board or taking over one of the volunteer positions is a great way to instantly meet a lot of new and interesting women. If you need to give yourself a little attitude adjustment, make this the week you decide to do it! Remember, the changes you make don’t have to be big, but they do have to be made. Come alive! Your President, Sue Milliken
November 2007 I couldn’t decide which of these quotes I wanted to
use – then I decided they can go together. After all, I only have one
more month to write, so I’ve got to get in all I can! Any control we think we have over our lives is
really just an illusion. So why not let the wind carry us? And each of
our lives is a blank map. We can make what we want of our lives at any
point. Some of us have physical, fiscal, or relationship constraints;
but all of us have unlimited imagination. I have Desert Newcomers to thank for providing me a safe place to meet people. I have been lucky enough to have made several friends that I will keep close to me forever. I wish the same for everyone reading this. Make it happen! Your President, Sue Milliken
December
2007 To the 2007 Governing Board – My undying thanks and gratitude. They stepped up to the plate and did what needed to be done. No complaining. No missed commitments. We pulled together and covered for each other when needed, and I could not be more pleased with the way we worked together. The second Friday of the month (our board meeting day) just won’t be the same! To the Club-wide Party Planning Committee – Brava! Job well done! It was a treat that cannot be pulled off every year because so much was donated by Sheila Green’s son, Josh Green. As for the event itself, I want to acknowledge the following people: Sheila Green, Kathy Patten, and Sheila Drayster, who joined me at the initial site visit and menu planning meeting; Kathy Patten, Joanne Jaques, Norma Christen, Cyndi Blaya, and Anita Lopez for putting together the centerpieces, and helping out wherever they were needed. Kathy Patten and Sheila Green again for paying attention to all the little details and keeping on top of things; and Judith McNichol, who kept the budget information current and available when it was needed. The spirit of team work and follow-through from everyone was amazing. To Green’s Gourmet – Josh donated his and his chefs’ cooking time; he got us the food at his cost; and through his connections we got the tickets to the variety show for free. We could never have had such a nice event if it weren’t for him, so I’d like to give him a plug: Josh is the Executive Chef, President, of Green’s Gourmet, a unique personal chef service. If you are interested in prepared meals delivered to your home, or you need an event catered, Green’s Gourmet can make it happen for you. Check out his website: www.GreensGourmet.com. To the Past President: Thanks, Marlene (Baker). You made the transition into the position smooth for me, and I hope I do as well for our new president. Next year I’ll be responsible for chairing the nominating committee, as you did this year, and I appreciate all that I’ve learned from you about doing that. You are a great resource! To all the Volunteers: There isn’t room here to thank everyone individually, so I will just say that without the volunteers, our coffee meetings, luncheons, and newsletter wouldn’t be as seamless and informative as they are. Thanks to all of you who help to make the club what it is. To the Membership: Thanks for all of the support and good wishes. At the times when I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing, it was nice to have supportive, smiling faces looking back at me. I’ve got a little room left here, so I want to let everyone know that we have once again selected The U. S. Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” as our donation recipient at this year’s Holiday Luncheon. The Marines have asked that we remember the older children (ages 12-17) when we are buying gifts – toiletries, sports equipment, board games, let your imaginations run wild! Remember: your gifts must be new and unwrapped. The Marines will be there to accept our donations. We have great entertainment lined up, and I look forward to seeing you there.
Thanks for a great year, Sue Milliken
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