Saying goodbye to 22 Paquette

First photo: Schuyler and his friends Jake and John who came over to help with arranging the garage sale.

Second photo: (with the timer) My birthday - cupcakes with Steve & Schuyler. We went to the movies and saw Fabulous Four... what an incredible night.

Bottom photo:My sister Laura and her daughter Paige who were a HUGE help in moving out furniture to the farm in Vermont. Sad to say goodbye, but happy for a new and happy beginning.

Waterskiing!

Skiing in the rain - the mist, getting in as many days as possible before leaving my home on the pond. Here are some fave shots of the other morning skiing with Gary. Jerry slept in and Paul drove the boat.

I LOVE THIS SPORT!

Gary put on my back binding and I skied it for the first time with both feet "locked" in - it was amazing the feel, the difference and really getting the ski on edge. I leaned so far into the turn I spun around, did a 360 and CRASHED! Smiling the whole way, I got up and skied another lap and a half .... Such a great way to start the day.

The above photos are of Gary skiing on Perkins Pond. He really has done a lot to support me and give me feedback on my waterskiing. He is a great skier and really is passionate about the sport. I will miss my morning ski - but plan to come back to visit and ski as much as I can.

Resume Building

Saw this article on Monster and thought it was a great one to share for future reference. I have shortened it and included the link because there is a lot of good advice and continued support links on the site. CLICK HERE to view the whole article and additional links.

Writing a resume is like exercising: You may not look forward to it, but you feel better once it’s done. And like the results of a good workout, a well-presented resume can help you keep your career in shape.

Title and Objective
Enough with the stupid titles we dismiss and make fun of. This is your career we're talking about.”
And an objective must get an employer’s attention quickly or it won’t get any attention at all. Your resume must grab my attention within the first few words of the objective. It must be clearly written and relevant to the position you are applying for. Take a little extra time and customize the objective to the position you are seeking…. If you cannot sell yourself with your resume, you might not have the opportunity to sell yourself at an interview”

Look and Feel
For the hard copy of your resume, make sure you invest in good paper stock, says one HR professional who has also composed and drafted resumes for professional clients. “Before our prospective employer even takes one glance at our resume, there is something they do first, and that is FEEL it,” she says. You can double the effect if you choose good-quality paper in a professional color other than white.”

Length
When President Lincoln was asked how long a man’s legs should be, he said they should be able to reach from a man’s body to the floor. Likewise, your resume should be long enough to sell you properly without overstating your accomplishments.

Style and Grammar
Trust me: I won't give a second thought to deleting a resume and/or cover letter that is fraught with mistakes.”

Resumes normally get less than a 15-second glance at the first screening. If someone has asked you to review his resume and you want to help him ensure it gets read -- or want to know if your own is up to par -- be sure you can answer yes to the following questions:

First Impression
Does the resume look original and not based on a template?
Is the resume inviting to read, with clear sections and ample white space?
Does the design look professional rather than like a simple typing job?
Is a qualifications summary included so the reader immediately knows the applicant's value proposition?
Is the length and overall appearance of the resume appropriate given the career level and objective?

Appearance
Does the resume provide a visually pleasing, polished presentation?
Is the font appropriate for the career level and industry?
Are there design elements such as bullets, bolding and lines to guide readers' eyes through the document and highlight important content?
Is there a good balance between text and white space?
Are margins even on all sides?
Are design elements like spacing and font size used consistently throughout the document?
If the resume is longer than a page, does the second page contain a heading? Is the page break formatted correctly?

Resume Sections
Are all resume sections clearly labeled?
Are sections placed in the best order to highlight the applicant's strongest credentials?
Is the work history listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job first)?

Career Goal
Is the career objective included toward the top of the resume in a headline, objective or qualifications summary?
Is the resume targeted to a specific career goal and not trying to be a one-size-fits-all document?
If this is a resume for career change, is the current objective clearly stated, along with supporting details showing how past experience is relevant to the new goal?

Accomplishments
Does the resume include a solid listing of career accomplishments?
Are accomplishments quantified by using numbers, percentages, dollar amounts or other concrete measures of success?
Do accomplishment statements begin with strong, varied action verbs?
Are accomplishments separated from responsibilities?

Relevance
Is the information relevant to hiring managers' needs?
Does the resume's content support the career goal?
Is the resume keyword-rich, packed with appropriate buzzwords and industry acronyms?
Is applicable additional information, such as awards and affiliations, included, while personal information like marital status, age and nationality unrelated to the job target omitted?

Writing Style
Is the resume written in an implied first-person voice with personal pronouns, such as I, me and my, avoided?
Is the content flow logical and easy to understand?
Is the resume as perfect as possible, with no careless typos or spelling, grammar or syntax errors?

Splash, Mash & Dash 2007

Prepping for Portland the season has started and my first triathlon of the year is upon me. Focusing more on training than racing this year, with Boston, Big Lake & Covered Bridges behind me, now it is time to hit the road and swim! I have been in the pond about 6 times to get some mileage (although not enough) at least there is some under my belt. I haven't gone on many bike rides, but the spin class all winter will be to my benefit. That will be my goal for the remainder of June along with packing up my house, is to get some bike rides in. I love to train and actually feel in top shape going into the season.

SO - here I go - off to Eastman on Saturday of next week. I just entered the race so I thought I would blog about it... Goals - a better swim of course, kick it in on the bike (as always) - hope we don't get rain, which will improve my time and then to feel the burn on the run and push myself competitively to see how that feels in a triathlon. I am one that likes to "hang" and enjoy the scenery... the trail run is a good one and I really do enjoy the people from this race. AND it is sanctioned so it helps my ranking.








CLICK HERE for last year's journal of my results
CLICK HERE for the event website

Time to say "goodbye"

I have been saving these old straight skis since I worked as a patroller in Killington back in the early 90's. I love the yellow Salomon's and dragged this entire crew of skis out west and back home again.... Lots of great turns, lots of great memories skiing many runs at the K as I grew my skills and strength in skiing - "anywhere - - anytime." And that beautiful TUA tele ski was my fave, just perfect for those backcountry treks down to Wheelerville Road and toward Shrewsbury off the back of killington. It is always tough to say goodbye, but it is time....

Good to documnent and scrapbook in my blog to forever be engrained.

Covered Bridges photos

Action Sports International - www.asiorders.com

Picture of me crossing the finish line (soaking wet and exhausted)
Picture of David Rowell and I at the start (when I was still smiling)

Look what is for sale on EBAY!

Please make a bid - - if you are local or related to me, we can easily find a way to deliver the item to you! : )

CLICK HERE for My World on EBAY

here is the link to ALL the pictures of the items.... CLICK HERE

Hope Lodge Tampa, Florida

Photos: 1. Welcome to Hope Lodge Tampa! 2. The Look Good Feel Better Room 3. Ceiling tile sample of hope and prayer 4. Our friendly tour guides and directors of the Lodge. CLICK HERE to view the photo slide show of the Hope Lodge, Tampa





Part of the Relay Advisory Team meeting in Tampa was a tour / visit to the Tampa Hope Lodge (CLICK HERE to read more about Hope Lodge in Tampa). This is a home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. It was really great to go with our leadership national volunteers to see the great work and wonderful facility there in Tampa. It was very heartwarming to hear the stories of the patients that have benefited from this care and location close to the cancer treatment center. We also got to see the patient service center (call center). Great staff people and volunteers work very hard to make this all work and be a good experience for the patients. Here are some of my favorite photos from the tour --->>

Covered Bridges Half Marathon - 5th woman overall!

Yesterday's weather was perfect for the 16th annual Covered Bridges 1/2 marathon from Woodstock to Quechee VT. The sign up for this race was closed within 3 hours, 3000 ppl had signed up, which tells you how popular the race is to the running crowd. I used to run the race in the early nineties when it was West Woodstock and the Lincoln Covered Bridge to Lake Pinnacle in Quechee. The course now starts at Suicide Six, the Woodstock Inn & Resort Ski Area in Pomfret, VT(one if not the first in history, right backside of the ski tow hill).

Steve, Schuyler and I met Tina & Chris at the Antique Mall in Quechee where Steve gave us a ride to the start. Tina and Chris raised more than $1000 for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and were a part of the team - so we checked in there, stretched and wandered around the crowd.

I found my way to the start line (I hate to juggle around people and it gives me the extra motivation and edge to start near the front), to begin and pushed it through right from the start. Not looking at my watch the whole first 1/2 of the race I actually led the women until mile 9. For some reason after the hill, I was all alone on the stretch before the Quechee golf course and really slowed my pace. I tried to push, but then began to think of the last 3 days in Tampa (tropical storm Barry hit them hard) and being delayed in Tampa (1/2 hour) and then in Phili (2 hours) arriving Hartford and driving home 2 hours to sleep at 12 midnight or so... Tough to travel and race and get into a regime for running.... I began my excuses in my head and slowed even more. No one was around me to talk to me, and the little bands on the road were done... the last one was the tempo drums on the flat... I ran through by Simon Pearce finally and to the finish, but by that time 4 women had passed me and I was 5th. I was disappointed in my finish, expecting a PR? Not sure, but still not so happy, or maybe I was just exhausted and am pushing myself so hard. I staggered at the finish, exhausted and just worn out. Lack of sleep these past few months felt like it was catching up with me. Steve and Schuyler were there at the finish to welcome me and give me big hugs.

We wandered around and I saw my friend Amy Robb, an old friend from my bike race days and we chatted for a while, catching up. So great to see her! We talked to Rod Viens, my neighbor out on Old Springfield and he was 5th. He wasn't real happy with his run, but he ran mid 5/min/miles.

After I changed out of my soaked clothes we went back to the finish to Tina & Chris who ran together finishing in 1:53 - awesome job for Tina's first 1/2 marathon. She was thrilled!




40 2/178 F4044 1:29:35 6:50 1:29:36 Nancy Peck 42 F 1827 Sunapee NH


Top Ten M/F Results

TOP TEN RESULTS
16th Annual Covered Bridges Half Marathon
June 3, 2007 USATF Certified #VT97004WN Woodstock to Quechee, VT
Timing By ChampionChip - Granite State Race Services www.gsrs.com
================================================================================
TOP TEN MEN OVERALL
************************************************************
Place Div Div Time Pace Name Age Sex Race# City/state
===== === ===== ======= ===== ======================== === === ===== =======================
1 1 M2029 1:11:10 5:26 Nathaniel Freese 22 M 820 Tunbridge VT
2 1 M3039 1:14:14 5:40 Rich Smith 37 M 2 Enfield NH
3 2 M3039 1:14:25 5:41 Paul Curtis 33 M 552 New York NY
4 3 M3039 1:15:05 5:44 Rod Viens 39 M 4 Sunapee NH
5 4 M3039 1:16:29 5:51 Matthew Hyde 30 M 9 Arlington MA
6 1 M0119 1:19:01 6:02 Dylan Grald 16 M 922 Grantham NH
7 1 M4044 1:19:03 6:02 Christopher Lang 42 M 18 Hartford VT
8 2 M4044 1:19:06 6:02 Christopher Gould 41 M 913 Pelham MA
9 1 M4549 1:20:02 6:07 John Lachance 48 M 14 Lunenburg MA
10 2 M2029 1:20:10 6:07 Joe Reynolds 28 M 1943 Brookline MA
Record 1:07:06 by Seth McClennan in 1995.


************************************************************
TOP TEN WOMEN OVERALL
************************************************************
Place Div Div Time Pace Name Age Sex Race# City/state
===== === ===== ======= ===== ======================== === === ===== ========
1 1 F3039 1:27:24 6:40 Laurie Greenberg 32 F 2566 Perkinsville VT
2 1 F4549 1:27:41* 6:42 Cindy Pomeroy 45 F 1 Windsor Locks CT
3 2 F3039 1:27:54 6:43 Maribel Souther 32 F 3 Hanover NH
4 1 F4044 1:28:50* 6:47 Debbie Gould 41 F 914 Pelham MA
5 2 F4044 1:29:36 6:51 Nancy Peck 42 F 1827 Sunapee NH
6 3 F3039 1:29:39 6:51 Amie Creagh 34 F 524 Deerfield MA
7 2 F4549 1:29:46* 6:51 Sue Lachance 47 F 16 Lunenburg MA
8 1 F2029 1:29:55 6:52 Rebecca Butler 29 F 330 Honnnnover NH
9 2 F2029 1:31:05 6:57 Beth Coughlin 28 F 507 Newton MA
10 3 F4549 1:31:53* 7:01 Sarah Tabbutt 47 F 2284 Philadelphia PA
Record 1:18:40 by Maribel Sanchez in 1998.
* Under USATF Age-Group guideline
______________________________________________________
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 to 44
Place O'All Nettime Pace Guntime Name Age Sex Race# City/state
===== ===== ======= ===== ======= ======================== === === ===== =======================
1 35 1:28:47 6:47 1:28:50* Debbie Gould 41 F 914 Pelham MA
2 40 1:29:35 6:50 1:29:36 Nancy Peck 42 F 1827 Sunapee NH
3 116 1:37:29 7:27 1:37:36 Lynn Stanford 43 F 2221 Lancaster NH
4 132 1:38:28 7:31 1:38:32 Lisa O'Neil 41 F 1773 Quechee VT
5 133 1:38:28 7:31 1:38:32 Kim Sheffield 41 F 2128 Woodstock VT
6 161 1:39:05 7:34 1:40:18 Stephanie Clark 40 F 436 Lyme Center NH
7 175 1:40:33 7:41 1:40:57 Katrina Hotchkiss 40 F 1096 Pittsfield VT
8 181 1:40:56 7:42 1:41:18 Robyn Churchill 41 F 428 Cambridge MA
9 187 1:41:04 7:43 1:41:25 Cindy Pierce 42 F 1863 Etna NH
10 253 1:44:02 7:57 1:44:47 Catalina Vial 40 F 2385 Pittsford NY
* Under USATF