I have been planning the details for our first cruise, next week, going from Miami to Jamaica and the Grand Cayman Islands.  I am one of the speakers for a Social Media & Blogging Conference (Social Media By the Sea) that is taking place right on the cruise ship.  It should be interesting.

This is my first speaking engagement.  I am not a speaker by any means, but I am sure I will do fine.  I have spoken several times in church.  And I also run a Mommy & Me group where I often have to speak to the ladies.  I guess a part of me is still nervous though.  Any advice on how to keep my nerves calm? And don’t say Valium.  LOL

But I’ll tell ya, the planning has just about been driving me to the edge.  I have been putting together folders with a 15 page presentation of what I will be speaking on, a powerpoint presentation, and even prize coupons.  Here are are few pictures of what I am doing.

I am the type of person that goes all out when it comes to my work, but I don’t think I realized what I was getting into when I started.  The presentations alone were a $150 project with the cost of the folders, ink, paper, and sticky tabs.  They have also taken me DAYS to put together (I am still not done).  🙂  In the folders are tabbed sections – 3 are on my speaking topics and 1 is a section that tells all about me, my company, my services, and rates.  I also had beautiful pens made with my company name & website.  They are individually boxed and I am adding bows that match the blue color in the folder.  I guess I just need some assurance.  If you were going to a conference and one of the speakers presented you with this, would it make you want to work with the company?

Another part of the planning process has been packing in preparation for traveling 2 hours to my mom’s house, staying there for a night and leaving the kids with her, then flying to Miami and staying overnight in a hotel, then going on the cruise, flying back to my moms after the cruise, staying for a few days and then driving home.  WOWZERS! I am a planner and being pregnant actually makes it worse and causes me to be even more neurotic.

I have typed out a daily schedule for my mom with specific instructions for each child.  She will know what to do from the time they wake up till the go to bed.  I have also created a list of meal plan suggestions.  I just want to make it easier for her because I know that it will be difficult with 3 small children.  I know that I will also feel better, being so far away and out of control, knowing that my mom can know exactly what to do by referring to my list.

Going somewhere alone without our children is not a usual thing for us.  My husband and I have never gone on a real vacation without them.  I am really looking forward to the down time, but a bit nervous as well.  This is my first cruise and I am really hoping that I will not get sea sick.

As you can see, there is a lot on my plate and I am just glad that I still have time to work through it all.  We are leaving Wednesday of this coming week.

Well, wish me luck or blessings or whatever you want to do.  I am definitely going to need it.  Oh, and I would love to hear your advice as well!  Comments are always welcome.  The things I need advice for are in bold within this post.  Thanks so much guys!  You are the best.  🙂