Friday, February 29, 2008

Blue & Gold Banquet




The cub scout blue and gold banquet was last night. I've spent the better part of 4 days working on the crossing over bridge, the arrow of light award, then the food. I honestly didn't think it would take up that much of my time, but it all turned out really well, so it was worth it. I painted half the bridge in cub scout colors and the other half in boy scout colors. The arrow of light award I cut out of pine and rounded the top so that it would resemble the shape of the rays of light. Then I sanded it down and painted the whole thing, sealed it, drilled hole to hang the arrow from and attached a saw tooth hanger on the back. The arrow is not one you just buy all finished. It was a kit I had to make, which turned out to me more involved that I thought, but it looks so much better that a shiny store bought one. The arrowhead was made of flint and it was too thick to fit in the notch, so I had to grind it down till it was thin enough to fit, then lash it on. Each piece on the arrow had to be messed with and put on by hand. Then I painted marks all across the arrow for each award he had earned in cub scouts. He had earned quite a bit so it was pretty full. I'm really happy with how it came out.

The theme was Chinese New year and all the cub scouts made paper lanterns that were strung all over the room. It looked so great! For dinner they decided on Hawaiian haystacks but we changed the name to Chinese haystacks for the sake of the theme. Each scout also made a cake with a Chinese theme for the cake contest that doubled as dessert. I made the rice, the gravy and grilled the chicken. All the scouts were assigned to bring the toppings. I also bought Chinese take out boxes and chop sticks for everyone to eat with. Everyone loved it!

All the boys who earned things this past month were presented with their awards, then at the end they presented the Arrow of light award to Adam and had him thank his old leaders and cross over the bridge from a cub scout to a boy scout and sent him into the tent with some boy scouts. They were "building" a new boy scout. We had power tools, like my miter saw, cordless drill, hammer boards etc in there that they were running while Adam changed into his new boy scout uniform. It was loud. People were laughing. Some little kids looked a little worried....probably because Mark would say stuff like you better not be getting any blood in my tent. LOL! Afterwards he emerged from the tent a new boy scout and his new troop and leader welcomed him in. It was great! Afterwards, he came over and gave me flowers and a hug and thanked me for making his award. That was just so sweet and unexpected. I nearly cried right there on the spot. This is Mark's last pack meeting as cub master. They have called a new one to start next month. Even though this was "his"calling, we have both really enjoyed serving in it and will miss it quite a lot. Now he will move on to serve fully on the high council and I'm down to only serving in the young women's. (which I love) When we got home Mark gave me a box a thin mint girl scout cookies that Brek and Brittany sent home for me. They know they are my favorite.

It's just flowers and cookies...sweet simple gestures of kindness at a time when I really needed them. Just like the very sweet and supportive comments for me on my last post. You all made me feel so loved. You really have no idea how much power posting sincere words of encouragement has. It is appreciated more than you can ever know. Thank you! Yesterday was another a hard day with a couple of breakdowns, but I got through it and the day ended on a good note. I'm so glad the weekend is here. I fully intend to enjoy every bit of it. Being happy is the goal with some much needed and long over due me time! :o)

For right now I have to go wash out my eyes. They are itchy and swelling up as I type. Franky jumped up here a little bit a go and rubbed up against my face, so I got cat hair in my eyes and I'm having a not so pretty reaction to it....ick!

Have an awesome weekend!!!

18 comments:

Desi said...

Your dedication to everything you do never ceases to amaze me. There would need to be 10 of me to get everything done that you do. The banquet looked great and sounds like it turned out wonderful. I'm glad you seem to be doing a little better, but know that {HUGS} are still being sent your way.

bs honey said...

Jolene, I'm happy that you are feeling some better. Know what?? When your Chad gets home, you will get back to really being yourself again. I can only imagine what y'all are going through.
I continue to pray for you and your family.
Gods blessings on you and the family

chrisg said...

We used the Chinese New year theme with the lanterns also this year. Aaron Crosses over in June.will you send me your perfect bridge? You are such a talent and I wished you were in my pack and ward. I can't get enough of seeing all you do makes my day.

Monogram Queen said...

I think you did an awesome job in helping with the blue and gold banquet. I love the color/symbolism of the bridge. Have a wonderful week-end Jolene, and be kind to YOU.

Andi said...

Hope every day is a little better for you Jolene. You contribute so much of yourself and do so many amazing things for so many people.

I love how the Scout Bridge turned out. You know those boys will remember that all their lives.

Love and Hugs to you...you're a special person Jolene.

Denise Bryant (imchatty) said...

You amaze me....everything you do is so perfectly executed and looks wonderful. Every time you describe your event I just want to jump through the computer and join you for a meal. LOL Enjoy your weekend...it's a no crying weekend....in case you weren't told. :-)

Marilyn said...

glad to hear you are feeling better-we did the EXACT same thing tonight for our blue & gold-even the menu-so funny! (we can say great minds think alike-huh) Have a great weekend...

Anonymous said...

Hey it looks great!!! You rock!!!

Unknown said...

I would be up at the crack of dawn on this Saturday morning becuase my kitty jumped in bed and rubbed up against my face and I am also having a not so good reaction. But I just wanted to pop in and tell you I hope you have a nice relxing weekend. You continue to amaze me with all you do. You deserve a nice relaxing weekend. Hang in there - I think you are just fabulous.

Valerie said...

that is so cool! you and Mark put so much into all you do, it defenatly will be something these kids will remember for years!

poor you - allergies are so no fun - i always get an attack when i go to my mom's, she has so many cats and i forget, pet one, and then rub my eyes. dumb.

Briana said...

Boy are those kids going to miss the two of you! You've both done a fantastic job! And actually (and don't take this the wrong way) you really remind me a lot of my mother. She was so involved in everything I did growing up and it was just great. It's nice to just have your parents come to support your activities, but when they are actually the ones handling everything it's even better!

Anonymous said...

I grew up calling Hawaiian Haystacks--Chinese Sundaes. We would marinate the chicken in soy sauce, which gave it a nice oriental flavor. Yummy.

Suzie said...

love that you throw your whole heart and soul into everything important to you.

such an inspiration. keep up the good work but be sure to take some time for you!!!

Kimberly said...

You are such a great mom...you put 110% into everything you do ! Wish I had that much get up and go! Hope you have a great week.

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