In the Home Stretch?

I realize that for many people, they may think that the home stretch for an Associate Grand Matron does not come along until October, when we are within striking distance of Grand Chapter, but from my perspective, the real home stretch is right now, as my partner and I work on finishing up the thousand things that have to go to print in the Itinerary and the hundred things that need to be finished for our workshop and the dozens of things that need to be done for deadlines in August and September.  Unfortunately, sometimes things that you thought were done rear up their ugly heads and come back to life with ever more complications.  Next time,  I am driving the wooden stake right through the binder of worksheets and then shooting it with a silver bullet.

The calendar is just about almost done, one OV place, some receptions and some events for other people and groups that go on our calender is what's left.  That's the home stretch, I think.

The pieces and parts for all the books are pretty much drafted, except for a flyer that is going to go into the Workshop materials, and the above mentioned calendar.  That's the home stretch, I think.

We've figured out that the print copy Worthy Matron books that some people want are going to need about a two inch binder and the Worthy Patron books will need two to two and a half inches and as soon as the order deadline passes, we will be contracting with the printer to produce those.  That's the home stretch, I think.

I believe that all but one of the 2013 Grand Family have gotten their measurements in to the seamstress for their Installation dresses, the ladies all have their travel jackets and the skirts are bought but not all distributed yet.  The medieval outfits are ordered and the men are supposed to be getting their information for purchasing this next week.  That's the home stretch, I think.

All but about thirty of the appointments are done.  We are still sending out letters on the ones that have not finished.  There are a few where we don't yet know who we will ask to serve and are still deciding that, so we still have some letters and e-mails to send but we hope to make some decisions on those final slots soon.  That's the home stretch, I think.

With lots of things almost done, but very little DONE done, I spend most of my time feeling that I am constantly behind, but others who have gone this way before assure me that I am actually right on target.  I sure hope they are right and that all these final persnickety little things will just fall into place and then I will look up and I will be done with all this planning and not late!

It has been sad missing a bunch of events this month, but the time was completely needed and useful.  Last Saturday, I was at my office working on this stuff for six hours straight and then two more hours at home.  There is just no way to get everything done without at least some weekend time when you work a regular work week.  But since we are in the home stretch, I am hoping that the calendar will free up from here on out and we can pick up traveling again.

This weekend, I will attend the event in Salinas and the one in Santa Rosa, but will miss the Saturday event.