Sunday, October 28, 2007

Let Go, Let God

That was the title of our women's retreat this weekend. It was a wonderful time spent with members of our church, past and present, and some friends of members as well. I heard some great ideas on how to increase your prayer life and what to do about things that you can't let go of. There was at least one "Ah, Ha!" moment about relationships with others, that I can hopefully use to improve some of my relationships. I figure if I can go away with one thing that I learned, it was worth the time spent.

As an added bonus, the retreat was at the state conference center where I used to attend church camp. It was the first year that the women's retreat was held there, and there was some reminiscing and great memories from a special time in my life. Plus I could share it with people who hadn't been there before. All in all, a great time.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Computers Make Me CRAZY

I am a fairly smart girl (thus the nickname), but nothing makes me feel more dumb than when something goes wrong with my computer. This time it is something with my wireless card. Luckily my dad was able to loan me a wireless gizmo that just plugs into a USB port. In the meantime I spent all this time uninstalling / reinstalling various software, trying to get things fixed in other ways. UGH. And it just makes me madder and madder the longer I work on it. Totally wrecks my attitude. Enough about that.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

A 15 Minute Day

One of my favorite web presences is The FlyLady. Her website is filled with great tips and a wonderful system to help get your life more organized, ALL FOR FREE. She is very encouraging, and is constantly reminding people no one is perfect. One of her slogans I have taken to heart is "I can do anything for 15 minutes" - No matter how tired I am, I can usually muster up 15 minutes to clean the house or work on a project. I say USUALLY, because there are times that I look around my house and realize that I haven't done anything for too long. Today was one of those days, so I called up Curly Girl and told her I needed some inspiration (she is also a fan of The FlyLady). She told me to do four 15-minute sessions ( I had 4 hours between church and work) and to report back what I had done. The only rule is that I have to set the timer for 15 minutes and accomplish something during that time. The timer is important, because you know the session will come to an end, and it allows you to remain focused. Curly Girl was at the pumpkin patch with the Gift & the Firecracker (her stepdaughter - born on the Fourth of July), so I texted them to her instead of calling. Here's the list of what I accomplished:


  • 1st 15 min: Gathered up all my laundry, Started 1 load of laundry, Straightened up my bathroom, Wiped down the countertops, and Cleaned the mirror.

  • 2nd 15 min: Cleaned up the kitchen, Switched wash to the dryer, Started 2nd load of laundry, Threw away b-day flowers, and Did a 27 fling boogie

  • 3rd 15 min: Put away 1st load of laundry, Switched 2nd load to the dryer, Start 3rd load of laundry, Shredded a weeks worth of credit card offers, Straightened the living room, and Picked up no less than 10 hair doodads

  • 4th 15 min: Started dishwasher, Went through the mail and tossed junk, Cleaned off the dining room table, Hung up laundry from 2nd load that was half dry, and Cleared off my desk

It never ceases to amaze me how much I can get done in 15 minutes. That is why I always set the timer. It becomes a challenge to get as much done as I can in that 15 minutes. And I spent the other 45 minutes reading, catching up on the DVR and vegging out. WOW. I feel so much better.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Swapping!

Being so new to the blogging world, I am trying to expand my community of blogging buddies out there on the world wide web. I have read other people's blogs, but I decided that I needed to check out some blogs of people that I don't actually know. Thank goodness for ElastiGirl, my blogging mentor, who has a list of bloggers that she reads regularly. And while I was reading Bits and Odd Pieces of Mindy's Kingdom I found something I had never heard of before. A swap. Sort of like a blogging pen pal, because you learn about another blogger and then you send them stuff that you think they would like. Only rule is it has to fit in a 8 1/2 x 11 envelope. And they send stuff back to you.

SO MUCH FUN! I can't wait!

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Strategery

One of the things that I help organizations with is Strategic Planning. I am actually pretty good at it. I started doing it as a voluntary thing several years ago at my last church, and then again here at my new church. And as of late organizations are actually paying me for my advice. And are happy with the result.

Ironically, though, my own life has seemed a bit out of control and misdirected lately. In the past 4 years, I left a position as VP of one of the largest banks in the world to work for a non-profit. It was less money, but I thought I could make a difference in the world. While there I learned that I had really misjudged my "mentor" and one year later I was laid off by that person. (In my own defense, I had a really good friend that I respect very much have the EXACT same thing happen this year with the EXACT same woman. Seriously. One year and out.) Anyway, after so many years of work and being good at saving money, I was in a position to not work, so I didn't. I was quite disgusted with the whole thing. I sold my house and moved back "home" - my parents were out of the country and I stayed at their place, helped take care of my grandmother and just did what I wanted. Started working part time at a place that offered benefits for part time employees (a rarity in this day and age), did some volunteer work, and until my grandmother passed, was quite sure that I was doing what I should be. I do not regret it one bit.

Another year goes by and I start looking for work in the fields I have worked in during my career life. I mean it really is time, because I'm now making one tenth of what I used to make at the big bank, and I am missing the lifestyle. Unfortunately, banks don't seem to want me because I left banking, and non-profits don't want me because I didn't work in that field long enough. And in the meantime, I find out that as much as I love the strategic work of non-profits, the day to day is often not managed well, and I haven't had much luck with some of the people I've worked with in that area. What's a girl to do?

So today I decided to make a strategic plan for ME. It will take a while, and I don't think it will be easy, but I need to get my life back into focus. And for the first time in a long time, I feel a little more at peace.

Monday, October 8, 2007

Progress or Selfishness, You Decide...

I tend to do for others more than I do for myself. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is a form of avoidance or procrastination. Putting off the things I should be doing, and getting a small high by helping out others. But today I drew the line, and even though it was hard for me, I felt a tiny bit better about saying, "No" to an acquaintance who called me to ask a favor. It was made a bit more complex by the fact that my mom recommended me... Some guilt that I wasn't willing to help out someone that I have known for 20+ years, some guilt that my mom suggested I do it and I wasn't, and some guilt that I put myself first. But I think that it is a good step for me. I'm seeking balance (as a Libra, it should be second nature, right?) in my life this year.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Happy Birthday to Me!

No countdowns or anything exciting, but today is my birthday. Birthdays always make me a little reflective, and I am now sitting here pondering the next year of my life. Hopefully it will be more exciting than the last year. I read somewhere recently about a person who resolved to do something new each month that she had never done before. Maybe I'll try that. Any suggestions?

Monday, October 1, 2007

I've Been Tagged

Mrs. Swizzle tagged me, my first tag...

Four jobs I've held

  • Math Lab Tutor (college)
  • Risk Manager
  • Temp (including peeling labels off of binders for 8 hours)
  • Consultant

Four films I could watch over and over

  • It's a Wonderful Life
  • Office Space
  • The Truth about Cats and Dogs
  • Any "B" Elvis movie - the early years

Four TV shows I watch

  • Ugly Betty
  • Grey's Anatomy
  • My Name is Earl
  • House

Four places I've lived

  • Andrews AFB (Washington DC)
  • Niceville, FL
  • Beavercreek, OH
  • Lewisville, TX

Four favorite foods

  • Chicken Paprikash (or anything Hungarian)
  • Fresh berries - almost any kind
  • Grandma's Apple Pie
  • Brie & Tomato sandwiches (first tried this in London)

Four websites I visit everyday (I can't say I visit any everyday, but these I check out a lot)

Four favorite colors

  • Red
  • Blue
  • Yellow
  • Ultra White - no hint of any tint in it

Four places I would love to be right now

  • On a beach in Mexico
  • By Curly Girl's pool
  • Budapest
  • Malta

Four names I love but would/could not use for my children

  • Ariel
  • Ruby
  • Jay
  • Raymond

Not sure who I will tag yet. I'm fairly new to the blog world, so I don't have an extensive list of bloggers to tag yet. I'll pass it on soon though.