A Busy Week - COMM314

Did you ever notice that you are either busy or bored?

This week I am busy…

This is my last week of a lot of things: my last week employment - my last week of my commitments as chair of a golf tournament for a non-profit agency - my last week of classes at VCSU and my last week in Florida.

There is so much happening right now that I am absolutely thankful for technology. I can multi-task using my iPhone – make appointments, call people, find stores on the internet and much more. In addition I have a good support system of friends that have stepped up to the plate to help me manage numerous projects that need to complete in the next three days.

My husband is already in our new home state working at his new job and helping the situation by exploring the areas to locate shops and services that we would need to use. Most importantly he is searching for those “oh so necessary dinner out” restaurants that we can go to once I hit the state. Last weekend he met and made friends with the owners of a local golf course within walking distance of the house. He has scoped out the area near the house, met new neighbors, etc…

What’ left for this crazy busy week…

First there is homework – gotta love those end of the year projects. I have two due this week and hope to get through them both unscathed. Next there are meetings to wrap up the end of my volunteer commitments and finally the big move itself. Saturday should be fun with the packing and loading of the truck.

Saturday evening my husband fly’s into town and then together we ride into the sunset heading of to our next adventure…

COMM344 - Beat Report Reflects on Mother's Day

What can I say I am human and have found out that the older I get the slower I get. One day you too will discover that you absolutely love the “oh so comfortable” bed and don’t need to stay up until the cows come home.

So this week instead of hitting the town I hit the house to prepare it for the move to Maryland, yes that’s right we’re leaving Florida to head to College Park, MD. “Fear the Turtle!”

I digress… Partyless, I thought what can Iblog about this week? Not about a party, place or thing how about a day of remembrance something that is dear to me. I got it lets blog about Mother’s Day!

This week I sent a card to my daughter – her first mother’s day card. For a moment I felt incredible old then a more positive emotion replaced that feeling, I felt blessed. I had watched this child grow up to become a mother a role she seems ready to tackle. Did I mention that I am going to be the cool glamma [check out these great glam-ma’s] that takes “Morgan Reese” to all the fun places?

Interesting that today my mother sent me the note below. I wondered, how did she feel when I became a mom? Did she go through the same emotions? Was she as excited to be able to once again relive the moments of laughter and awe that comes from a small child?

Am I ready? I wasn’t sure until last Sunday when my daughter guided my hand to her abdomen and I got to feel my soon-to-be granddaughter reach out and touch my hand. It was amazing - I remembered all those wonderful moments watching my child grow-up and I relished in the emotion of the moment. I am ready!

When You're the Mom of a Mother

By Beverly Beckham and Grandparents.com

When my older daughter became a mother nearly six years ago, I became a grandmother with a brand-new baby to love. But I also became a different kind of mother to my baby. I was useful again. I knew things. I understood. And the most important thing I understood was how much my daughter loved her child.Ten months later, my younger daughter gave birth to her firstborn. "Did you feel this way, Mom? Isn't it amazing? I never knew. Was I as cute?"Motherhood, part two.

That's what grandparenting really is. Your kids grow up, go off to school, move away. And they don't need you anymore. They don't call for advice. And you think, you're done. That's it. The job is finished. And then your kids become parents and you're suddenly back in the game. "Mom, can you?" "Dad, will you?

When a child is placed in a woman's arms — in a hospital, at an airport, in a lawyer's office, and whether the child is a newborn or a 10-year-old — a woman's life changes forever. And so does the life of her mother.I watch my daughters wipe noses and hands, buckle car seats, peel grapes, insist upon "please" and "thank you," wipe up spills, dry tears, read books, blow bubbles, monitor the TV, play games, and work outside their homes. And I am struck by the rigors of mothering — how hard it is and tiring and endless, and how amazing it is that anyone signs up for this job. And then I think, this was once my job. I did all this.

"How did you do it, Mom?" my daughters ask. And they listen to my answer because I've been down the road they're on now and they realize that maybe I know a few things they have yet to learn. The mother-child connection. It changes. It evolves. It grows.In the space between us now there is still no space. It is filled with children — theirs, but part mine. And on it goes. Mother to mother to child, this eternal bond that is recognized and honored on Mother's Day.

COMM314 - Jamestown Flood Research (2)

To assist me in my research on the flooding in Jamestown, North Dakota I have decide to find first-hand accounts of the flood from local citizens.

My friend Colleen was a former Valley City State University employee who still has many friends in the area. With her assistance we have reached out to several Jamestown residents to forward me their personal accounts of what took place prior to the floods, during the ordeal and what they see now. These first-hand accounts will supplement the data I have from federal and state officials and put a more personal spin on the research.

I am also interviewing Colleen and her husband for information on how the floods in Jamestown affected them and what they have done to assist the local North Dakota Community.

Another area where I am searching for data is the FEMA web site, this site will allow me to collect vital information on number of deaths, number of injuries, damage (estimates will come from federal and state officials), locations for the damage, names of dead and injured, etc. Although morbid, to me it seems like a deer in the headlights syndrome, people seem to want to know this information.

While I was surfing for information / research I came across Senator Kent’s web site. He had an interesting press release in which he stated “In North Dakota, we are facing an assault of flood waters unlike anything we have ever seen. From east to west, communities large and small have been battling record level flood waters. While the recovery has begun in some communities, others are continuing the flood fight,” Senator Conrad said. “The federal government has been a key player in the response from day one. It must be a vital player in the recovery as well.”

May have to add federal employees to my list of people to research...

COMM344 – The Baby Shower was a success!

The beat reported can proudly announce that the baby shower was wonderfully successful!

(We don’t use the words big or huge during the daughter’s pregnancy – if you know what I mean).

Over 40 women, plus 2 plesant husbands who carried supplies and countless gifts, met at the Moon Dancer Vineyard and Winery in Wrightsville PA on Saturday to lavish the lucky mom-to-be with gifts, dine on scrumptious food and drink the vineyards wine.

Although the rain forced us to move the event indoors the cozy room flanked by 2 fireplaces, local paintings and small round tables decorated with pastel floral centerpieces created a setting that welcomed all who attended.

The oldest daughter was our photographer for the event and took many wonderful pictures of the event – several you will see in this blog. My friend from Deb owner of DTK Designs did an absolutely wonderful job on the floral centerpieces, my mother created the beautiful watermelon baby carriage, my sister wrapped presents until the wee hours of the morning, the mom-to-be cut out the small paper dresses that we used for “advice messages” and wrapped silver wear and I was able to cook, pacify an entire family as well as create the event in the image that my daughter had dreamed.

Did I mention that we had a cake?

The games were simple and wonderful –we played the new version of dirty diaper, ribbons and ruffles and hot bottle (this winner got the centerpiece). The day was log yet wonderful and this beat reporter was thrilled that everything went so smoothly.

If I could be reflective for a moment I would have to say that events are like having children. They require more than one person, it takes planning and preparation, you think you are going to be on America’s Most Wanted for the thoughts you are having about your family, and yet when everything comes together you smile and realize that it was all worth it.

COMM314 – Research Report

For my crisis Crisis Communication Project on the flooding in North Dakota I have selected to cover the town of Jamestown. My decision was not based on any knowledge of the ND town / area only that I had previously visited a city in Virginia called Jamestown and had a very pleasant trip.

My research for the project began with visiting the local newspaper’s web site, The Jamestown Sun. The local coverage is quite extensive and the archive of articles will provide me with more than enough data for my report.

Another valuable source for my report will be the U.S. Geological Survey. They have accurate information about the geography of the area and statistical data on flood stages of the Jamestown River.

Another area for research is the town’s web site, jamestownnd.com. On this site I was able to find a listing of all the local officials, information on city meetings and crisis planning. Stutsman County web site also has information on road conditions, water levels, septic tanks assistance and images of the flood.

A very good source of information regarding disasters comes from a national non profit agency, The Red Cross. The agency is a leader in releasing information to the community and media and believes in complete transparency. I will be able to collect data that they have posted on their web site from all the steps that the organization has taken in assisting the flood ridden town and victims.

Other research will include information from news stations, national newspaper outlets, radio stations, and some historical data on the area regarding previous flooding. Other information comes fro Valley City State University where I have been receiving constant updates on the situation in ND and the Salvation Army who has been instrumental in organizing volunteers for the flood areas.

COMM344 - A Baby Shower Part 2

A lot has happened since the last time this beat reporter wrote about the upcoming “Diva Baby Shower.”

The mother-to-be has blossomed and everyday looks more like she is toting a bowling ball instead of a baby (she said it not me) and her hormones have gone from wind gust to full blown hurricanes that can appear in less than 60 seconds.

I have used all my training / skills at reporting in my conversations with my daughter the “almost” mom to be so that I can determine what exactly is wrong, how did this happen and who did it to her.

To all the men out there please note: comparing your very pregnant wife to a beach ball can be misconstrued and lead to a severe case of tears. You also may want to visit Being Dad USA. Anyway I digress…

This week the shower planning was set aside for a more urgent matter. Earlier this week I received a call from my daughter complaining of severe cramping that had her doubled over in pain. Living 1200 miles away this is not the phone call you want to receive at 9:00am in the morning. Using those reporter skills once again and ruling out anything that she had eaten, etc. it was determined that she should immediately go to the doctors.

One hour later, the doctor transfers her to the hospital for testing. All communication now ceases. In this world of being able to instantly reach a person and have access to unlimited data at the touch of your fingers I now was helpless and uniformed. I must say, this was disturbing.

BTW, should you need to contact the hospital to learn more information and they tell you your child isn’t registered or there do not panic - ask to speak to a supervisor.

Several hours later after locating the correct cell phone number and nurse I found out the gallstones mimic labor. She is okay and the baby is doing well too. She was sent home with a new diet, new exercises to do and full knowledge of what labor is going to fell like.

Next week I’ll provide an update on the food preparation day that I will have had with my “let me worry about everything” mother, my “damn I am glad to get out of the house” sister and my lovely yet persistent daughter. Hmmm I think a Mimosa may be needed.

COMM314 - Communication Crisis

This week our professor asked us to write about a communication crisis and how it pertained to our lives. I wondered what have I experienced that could constitute a communication crisis. I have lived in Florida and been through several hurricanes, I lived in Pennsylvania for over 18 years and went through several floods and blizzards yet these incidents did not leave me with an impression of communication crisis.

What story can I relate that would describe a communication crisis or preparation for a crisis? It would have to be something that dealt with my children or family. Several years back my husband and I were the caregivers of his mother Marcy. She had been living with us for many years and we could tell that her health was failing.

To prepare for a possible communication crisis in dealing with health care and family members we took several steps.

First we developed an emergency heath care plan:
We processed the paperwork for Marcy regarding for a DNR
Compiled a list of medications she could carry with her at all times
Contacted all medical professionals and provided them with an emergency contact list
Discussed medical treatment options with Marcy and how she would like them handled
We obtained a power of attorney to handle Marcy’s medical and financial affairs

Next we developed a communications plan:
How we would contact family members if her health would fail
Who would be the primary contact to relay information?
Who the hospital could contact to approve treatment, ect.

Lastly we organized a funeral:
We spoke with Marcy about how she envisioned the funeral
Who she would want to attend
Where she wanted her final resting place to be
What did she expect from us in handling the funeral?

Little did we know that we would need this sooner than later – Marcy developed cancer that spread from her lungs to her brain and within a 3 week period of being diagnosed she left us to be with her husband Earl.

Because we had taken the time to prepare, we were able to effective communicate with family and friends, dealt with the medical professionals quickly and efficiently and provided the type of funeral for Marcy that she had envisioned.