Today, while out running a few errands, we ended up with a few wrong turns. I was talking to Joseph about some of the bullying experiences I had in elementary school, and he was listening so closely that he missed our turn. We took the next one, but to get back where we needed to go, we pulled through the parking lot of Office Depot. My husband knows that I am somewhat addicted to office supplies, so he pulled in, and I wandered around. My favorite keyboard was on sale from $70 down to $52 and then further to $39! Since I wear the letters off of my keyboard constantly, I can always use a new one. So, I got it.
Then, heading to my favorite Goodwill, we--you guessed it--missed our turn. Instead we pulled through this parking lot where Joseph knew there was a fig tree. He pulled over and picked a couple. I've never tasted a fresh fig before (you know--the ones they use to stuff fig newtons!) and it was really fascinating. It tasted like fig and rain and spring time. I really liked it (not so much the boys though when I brought one home).
It made me think though about "wrong" turns. Today they ended netting a keyboard and a fig. What other "wrong" turns have ended up gaining us far more than we lost? As I look back over my life, I realize that those wrong turns have led to some of the best, most unexpected adventures of my life. In that vein, I wish all that stop by to read here at least one fun "wrong" turn.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Blessed . . . and Burdened
The universe has plans for me . . now if I could just figure out what they are . . .
I mean, does karma simply love me and want to make sure that my family does not go without? Does the universe know that I am a single income earner of a family of four (sigh . . . . used to be six . . . keeps dropping) and is hustling to make it so that we have enough money to pay the bills, put food on the table, and go to Goodwill whenever the mood strikes?
OR
Is the universe tired of having me around so it is trying to work me into the ground? Give me a Voldemort nose from holding it to the grindstone for too long? Give up a social life, reading books or writing letters in order to MEET DEADLINES?
Am I blessed or burdened?
I haven't decided.
I am keeping a journal now of jobs offered and considered.
In the FOUR days I have been keeping it, I have been:
*interviewed for a new company once (got it)
*offered a job with a new company (pending)
*given four emergency assignments (completed)
*turned down two jobs for lack of compensation (so there!)
*given additional work from three companies who are pleased with me (yeah, me!)
IN FOUR DAYS.
No wonder I crawl into bed at night with my head swimming with details and deadlines and due dates. I need a clone. That would definitely be a blessing . . . unless of course, Joseph or the kids liked her better. Now I'm thinking burden . . .
I mean, does karma simply love me and want to make sure that my family does not go without? Does the universe know that I am a single income earner of a family of four (sigh . . . . used to be six . . . keeps dropping) and is hustling to make it so that we have enough money to pay the bills, put food on the table, and go to Goodwill whenever the mood strikes?
OR
Is the universe tired of having me around so it is trying to work me into the ground? Give me a Voldemort nose from holding it to the grindstone for too long? Give up a social life, reading books or writing letters in order to MEET DEADLINES?
Am I blessed or burdened?
I haven't decided.
I am keeping a journal now of jobs offered and considered.
In the FOUR days I have been keeping it, I have been:
*interviewed for a new company once (got it)
*offered a job with a new company (pending)
*given four emergency assignments (completed)
*turned down two jobs for lack of compensation (so there!)
*given additional work from three companies who are pleased with me (yeah, me!)
IN FOUR DAYS.
No wonder I crawl into bed at night with my head swimming with details and deadlines and due dates. I need a clone. That would definitely be a blessing . . . unless of course, Joseph or the kids liked her better. Now I'm thinking burden . . .
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Of Better Days
The light at the end of the tunnel is MUCH brighter now. (No, not THAT light . . . do not go gently into that light!) This weekend is full of work, as usual, but not so much that I wake up in a mild state of panic. Instead, I leisurely took a shower, emailed with my girl, and now I am going out for that one cup of coffee I have each day. I will stop by the bank, the post office, and the library and then when I am back home, I will start tackling assignments and deadlines with a much better attitude.
The weather has shifted from summer to fall and while that means no more sleeping outside (thanks to the rain), I have to admit I am a little grateful. It is MUCH harder to stay inside and work when it is 80 degrees and sunny out there, than when it is 50 and drizzly. Selfish, I know, but those perfect summer afternoons carry such temptation to walk away from inside and dwell in the outside. Now I look out at the falling leaves and the raindrops and am grateful to be at my desk. Well okay, I would rather be sitting on the couch, sipping hot chocolate and writing a letter, but hey, we take what we can get, right?
Created a fun present for Miss Nicole in Australia, which of course, I cannot describe as then she would know what it was. Promise to post the details once it arrives--it takes about two weeks between here and there. Thank goodness for Skype and IMing and email which helps us keep in daily contact. She met a young man with a brilliant smile and may have her first Australian date in the works. :)
Off for that coffee to inspire and motivate me to a thorough day's work. Happy Autumn to all!
The weather has shifted from summer to fall and while that means no more sleeping outside (thanks to the rain), I have to admit I am a little grateful. It is MUCH harder to stay inside and work when it is 80 degrees and sunny out there, than when it is 50 and drizzly. Selfish, I know, but those perfect summer afternoons carry such temptation to walk away from inside and dwell in the outside. Now I look out at the falling leaves and the raindrops and am grateful to be at my desk. Well okay, I would rather be sitting on the couch, sipping hot chocolate and writing a letter, but hey, we take what we can get, right?
Created a fun present for Miss Nicole in Australia, which of course, I cannot describe as then she would know what it was. Promise to post the details once it arrives--it takes about two weeks between here and there. Thank goodness for Skype and IMing and email which helps us keep in daily contact. She met a young man with a brilliant smile and may have her first Australian date in the works. :)
Off for that coffee to inspire and motivate me to a thorough day's work. Happy Autumn to all!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Some Days . . .
. . . . are just . . . hard.
This is one of them. I'm tired. I'm broke. I'm tired of being broke, especially considering i have been working 12-14 hour days for more than three weeks now. The money will come, but it takes so LONG to do so. In my business, it's always 30 days at least, and for many projects, it is 60 to 90 and that is a LONG time to wait for a paycheck.
And I miss Nicole.
And as fast as I work, I don't seem to catch up.
And summer is ending.
And I feel crabby.
Some days are just hard.
This is one of them. I'm tired. I'm broke. I'm tired of being broke, especially considering i have been working 12-14 hour days for more than three weeks now. The money will come, but it takes so LONG to do so. In my business, it's always 30 days at least, and for many projects, it is 60 to 90 and that is a LONG time to wait for a paycheck.
And I miss Nicole.
And as fast as I work, I don't seem to catch up.
And summer is ending.
And I feel crabby.
Some days are just hard.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Not Enough Hours in the Day
A few people (I won't mention exact names) have mentioned that I haven't posted for a while, so I am going to post quickly and then get my very sore, worn down, painful nose back to that vicious, razor-sharp grindstone.
All is well . . . I am just absolutely swamped and buried under work. Deadlines are daily and I am working from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, with the only time off being pee breaks, one coffee run, and a meal (only one--I eat the rest at my desk). I am grateful, of course. I am lucky and blessed to be busy and employed, but there are moments where I would trade it all for a day just to read, write letters, and nap.
So, I will keep writing, typing, researching, interviewing, attending phone conferences, writing, studying, learning, and yea, writing, and eventually, I will catch up. Then, I plan to curl up on the couch and be a lazy bum for at least 24 hours.
In the meantime, I miss my girl more with each passing day. She is adapting to her new home away from home--not an easy task so far away, getting to know new people, living in very close quarters, and dealing with huge lizards, huge spiders, huge snakes, and curious "chooks" (i.e. chickens). We are learning the Aussie language by Skype. Nicole has been gone for two weeks, although it feels much longer. Anyone who knows us knows that we go way beyond mother and daughter. We are best friends and we confer, commiserate, celebrate, and communicate about EVERYTHING. We just have to do it from 7500 miles apart. Sigh.
Okay, back to meeting deadlines and reducing that to do list before the next day arrives, and it fills up again. Wish me luck. And if you have some extra hours, could you send them over? Thanks!
All is well . . . I am just absolutely swamped and buried under work. Deadlines are daily and I am working from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day, with the only time off being pee breaks, one coffee run, and a meal (only one--I eat the rest at my desk). I am grateful, of course. I am lucky and blessed to be busy and employed, but there are moments where I would trade it all for a day just to read, write letters, and nap.
So, I will keep writing, typing, researching, interviewing, attending phone conferences, writing, studying, learning, and yea, writing, and eventually, I will catch up. Then, I plan to curl up on the couch and be a lazy bum for at least 24 hours.
In the meantime, I miss my girl more with each passing day. She is adapting to her new home away from home--not an easy task so far away, getting to know new people, living in very close quarters, and dealing with huge lizards, huge spiders, huge snakes, and curious "chooks" (i.e. chickens). We are learning the Aussie language by Skype. Nicole has been gone for two weeks, although it feels much longer. Anyone who knows us knows that we go way beyond mother and daughter. We are best friends and we confer, commiserate, celebrate, and communicate about EVERYTHING. We just have to do it from 7500 miles apart. Sigh.
Okay, back to meeting deadlines and reducing that to do list before the next day arrives, and it fills up again. Wish me luck. And if you have some extra hours, could you send them over? Thanks!
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