Wow! Did 2013 just come and go?
Thank goodness!
It wasn't one of my favorite years. In fact, in many ways it was one of the worst yet.
Health challenges, furlough challenges, work craziness, house repairs and selling challenges, death of loved ones, and even some despair about just about everything going on.
Yet, some good things happened along the way - relationships are intact, marketing skills are improved, awards won, and I felt closer to family along the way.
So, what will 2014 bring?
It started off with a disturbing phone call and the water heater breaking down. Oh, and feeling like a sick zombie in bed for a week.
Unbelievable.
But, I'm in good spirits. Secret happinesses have already come this week. I'm closing out a ton of projects at work and will be able to focus on 2-3 big priorities. Plus, I've got BIG goals.
It's not all bad. It's half good.
There will be challenges this year, but I'm ready. The blogging might not increase. I'm shirking back a bit and not listening to what everyone else is doing. I need to re-find myself.
Here's to 2014!
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenges. Show all posts
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Moonroof Drama
Can one ever go on a trip and not have a little drama?Halfway through our Thanksgiving getaway my moonroof got stuck.
Ugh! It just wouldn't come down.
Luckily, it was sunny and beautiful all across the Mid-Atlantic for three or four days and so it wasn't an issue...until this morning.
It started to rain and should be doing so the next few days.
My first stop was Google. Wow. I had no idea that dealerships charge $1,500 - $2,500 to fix these things! What a racket! For some, that may even be more than the value of their car. Heck, for me it might even be more than the value of my car now that I've had it for over seven years.
It is amazing how one little inch of unprotected air space is such a dramatic issue.
I got my car emissions test completed this morning and had wrapped a big tarp through one set of windows, over the top and through another set of windows. Let's just say that tarps work really well when the car isn't moving. Once you get up to 30 miles per hour...there is a bit of trouble.
At first I was going to use saran wrap to cover it and then some Eddie Bauer bags from past catalog orders. However, clearly this was a bigger job.
So, a trip to Home Depot (with the bright blue tarp flapping in the wind) and $22.60 later, I do have a temporary solution for this dilemma. Lots of thick plastic used often by painters and lots of thick window weather tape and this really tough Gorilla tape...it looks to be pretty sturdy.
Of course, I had to wait until it stopped raining for an hour to do all this since a wet car isn't one you want to start taping up.
So, this is being documented on 11/29/2011. Let's see how long this can last. I could sure use $1,500 on something besides a moonroof right now.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hurricane Musings
So, there are benefits to hurricane weekends. Though ... it is just a bit breezy outside and rainy most of the day. It is supposed to get worse. We'll see. I could swear that the Weather channel has a partnership with all the local grocery stores. Everyone runs out and buys things they don't need or is overkill for what might be two days away from normal living.
Ah well, what do I know. We had an earthquake here this week and THAT was completely unexpected and no newscaster thought to give us a heads up. I was in the middle of a lunch meeting at our cafeteria and the room started to shake. Quite the surprise, but five minutes later we continued our meeting while the rest of the people ran outside and talked about it. The rest of the day was the "where were you when it happened" conversation.
This weekend I'm spending most of my time helping someone write a proposal. These things take a lot of energy and time. But, I'm not pulling my hair out because there isn't anything great outside that I'm missing. Plus, I smartly went and swam an hour of laps yesterday in the morning before all the clouds came rolling into town.
I realize that this post isn't that exciting, but sometimes we aren't angry or happy, but just kind of calmly going about doing life. I spent time with a good friend last evening, took my husband's shirts to the dry cleaners and picked them up (learning that you have to ASK them to starch them - they don't just do it), and made a six page to do list that I've accomplished one page of so far.
Since they are still working on our offices, I get to telework a lot right now which actually means that I work longer days and accomplish more. Funny result - I actually enjoy when I do go now because I get to catch up on all my work relationships. It is during these times when you realize you really can have a work family too!
Perhaps I will write in this blog more this week and perhaps not. I'm trying not to worry about it so much. Some things go into my personal journal now that used to go out here. We all go through these phases, aye?
Many of my friends, different friends than last year, are going through massively difficult experiences. Divorce, separation, financial woes, job woes, low self-esteem. It is amazing that with so much abundance around, we still have issues in life. Most of these people would look "perfect" from viewing their lives on the outside. It makes me realize that we are just all going through LIFE and perhaps needs to share a little more and help a little more - in the spirit of giving and helping vs. gossiping and whispering.
All little thoughts as the imaginary hurricane swirls around my little abode.
Cheers!
Ah well, what do I know. We had an earthquake here this week and THAT was completely unexpected and no newscaster thought to give us a heads up. I was in the middle of a lunch meeting at our cafeteria and the room started to shake. Quite the surprise, but five minutes later we continued our meeting while the rest of the people ran outside and talked about it. The rest of the day was the "where were you when it happened" conversation.
This weekend I'm spending most of my time helping someone write a proposal. These things take a lot of energy and time. But, I'm not pulling my hair out because there isn't anything great outside that I'm missing. Plus, I smartly went and swam an hour of laps yesterday in the morning before all the clouds came rolling into town.
I realize that this post isn't that exciting, but sometimes we aren't angry or happy, but just kind of calmly going about doing life. I spent time with a good friend last evening, took my husband's shirts to the dry cleaners and picked them up (learning that you have to ASK them to starch them - they don't just do it), and made a six page to do list that I've accomplished one page of so far.
Since they are still working on our offices, I get to telework a lot right now which actually means that I work longer days and accomplish more. Funny result - I actually enjoy when I do go now because I get to catch up on all my work relationships. It is during these times when you realize you really can have a work family too!
Perhaps I will write in this blog more this week and perhaps not. I'm trying not to worry about it so much. Some things go into my personal journal now that used to go out here. We all go through these phases, aye?
Many of my friends, different friends than last year, are going through massively difficult experiences. Divorce, separation, financial woes, job woes, low self-esteem. It is amazing that with so much abundance around, we still have issues in life. Most of these people would look "perfect" from viewing their lives on the outside. It makes me realize that we are just all going through LIFE and perhaps needs to share a little more and help a little more - in the spirit of giving and helping vs. gossiping and whispering.
All little thoughts as the imaginary hurricane swirls around my little abode.
Cheers!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Silver Linings - or not so much
They say that clouds have silver linings. Well, at least that is what they say when bad stuff happens and you are expected to find the good in it.
I think that sometimes the silver is tinted a dull gray, but perhaps I need to get into a better mindset.
Today I'd say is a dull gray with a glimpse of silver tint on the other edge of wherever I'm located. How is that for trying to be positive?
Actually, I'm not as down and out as I'm portraying myself.
The real title of this post should probably be - "Condos, FICO, stocks, and too high fillings." But, that doesn't sound too interesting.
Right now I'm at home trying to figure out if the soft ceiling above my master bath is my problem or that of the person upstairs. This is when I wish I was renting. I would just call it in, get to work, and someone would appear and repair and I would have no bill. But, alas, now I get to deal with neighbor (which is fine), condo association and a leak that most likely isn't mine. Of course, this turns into a feeling of why do I have a $300,000 mortgage for a little two bedroom, two bath house anyway? And, why is there wind coming through the window when I have thick blinds and curtains and do the people really need to vacuum the hallways right exactly when I start my conference calls?
See, one little crack in the ceiling creates all these emotions.
And, here we have a FICO score coming in around the mid-600s when I am one of those people that always has a high score and creditors love me. Somehow I was double billed on an X-ray a year ago and one bill was sent to a collection agency. I won't say how much, but most of my creditors have lowered my accessible credit by thousands of dollars citing my bad credit. The neglectful radiology center says "we apologize and we are sending a note to the three credit bureaus to correct the situation." Um, thanks? So, I'm out of thousands of dollars of emergency credit AND have a low credit score because of your mistake? I'll pretend to not be mad.
Oh, and not to blame anyone in my cube farm, but a dear co-worker had a candy bowl out the last few months that I walked by and ate from in times of stress. My lack of self-control caused a couple of cavities, not just from the candy, but also because I've started clenching my mouth in times of stress and it has broken down the sturdiness of some of my teeth. A few days ago I got two taken care of after multiple shots of numbing medicine. Second day, not so lucky. Multiple tries and their efforts still caused sharp pains to rip through my gums. So, off to work I went with a sideways mouth and raging headache. To top it all off, I'm not really someone who likes candy. I just ate it because it was there and to quench possible bad breath.
On top of this, the dentist hasn't quite filed down one of the fillings to the original tooth's shape. So, as we all know, little changes in teeth, gums or tongue feel like huge boulders or disturbances even if something on them is ever so slightly off.
Did I mention I still have a headache? It must be all these Arctic weather fronts moving through our area?
Stocks I just threw in because the news talks about how much they went up last year, but that is only a gain if you bought all of your stock last year. Goodness, all the dollar cost averaging in the past means that all the gains last year just put my portfolio where it was at in 2006. I should be happy why?
I'm already a sign of bad luck this week.
Or, am I?
Here's the silver part:
1 - Got to go into work late two days in a row and so I actually saw the sunshine those two days.
2 - Today I'm at home working (except for this 10 minute break) while I get this plumbing issue straightened out. I'll probably get ten times more completed outside of the cube farm.
3 - My credit score should only go up from here.
4 - I have a job.
5 - If I need to, I can go lay down and take a nap to get rid of this headache.
6 - My neighbors are wonderful.
7 - I'm not in foreclosure.
8 - I ate pancakes for breakfast.
9 - My bathroom is now clean, because you always have to clean when you know people are coming over to fix something in your house.
And, the 10th of the 10 ten reasons this messed up week has silver linings is:
10 - You are either happy that I have a life like yours or happy that you don't.
Which reminds me of a quote - "The only good thing about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others."
Have a joyous day!
I think that sometimes the silver is tinted a dull gray, but perhaps I need to get into a better mindset.
Today I'd say is a dull gray with a glimpse of silver tint on the other edge of wherever I'm located. How is that for trying to be positive?
Actually, I'm not as down and out as I'm portraying myself.
The real title of this post should probably be - "Condos, FICO, stocks, and too high fillings." But, that doesn't sound too interesting.
Right now I'm at home trying to figure out if the soft ceiling above my master bath is my problem or that of the person upstairs. This is when I wish I was renting. I would just call it in, get to work, and someone would appear and repair and I would have no bill. But, alas, now I get to deal with neighbor (which is fine), condo association and a leak that most likely isn't mine. Of course, this turns into a feeling of why do I have a $300,000 mortgage for a little two bedroom, two bath house anyway? And, why is there wind coming through the window when I have thick blinds and curtains and do the people really need to vacuum the hallways right exactly when I start my conference calls?
See, one little crack in the ceiling creates all these emotions.
And, here we have a FICO score coming in around the mid-600s when I am one of those people that always has a high score and creditors love me. Somehow I was double billed on an X-ray a year ago and one bill was sent to a collection agency. I won't say how much, but most of my creditors have lowered my accessible credit by thousands of dollars citing my bad credit. The neglectful radiology center says "we apologize and we are sending a note to the three credit bureaus to correct the situation." Um, thanks? So, I'm out of thousands of dollars of emergency credit AND have a low credit score because of your mistake? I'll pretend to not be mad.
Oh, and not to blame anyone in my cube farm, but a dear co-worker had a candy bowl out the last few months that I walked by and ate from in times of stress. My lack of self-control caused a couple of cavities, not just from the candy, but also because I've started clenching my mouth in times of stress and it has broken down the sturdiness of some of my teeth. A few days ago I got two taken care of after multiple shots of numbing medicine. Second day, not so lucky. Multiple tries and their efforts still caused sharp pains to rip through my gums. So, off to work I went with a sideways mouth and raging headache. To top it all off, I'm not really someone who likes candy. I just ate it because it was there and to quench possible bad breath.
On top of this, the dentist hasn't quite filed down one of the fillings to the original tooth's shape. So, as we all know, little changes in teeth, gums or tongue feel like huge boulders or disturbances even if something on them is ever so slightly off.
Did I mention I still have a headache? It must be all these Arctic weather fronts moving through our area?
Stocks I just threw in because the news talks about how much they went up last year, but that is only a gain if you bought all of your stock last year. Goodness, all the dollar cost averaging in the past means that all the gains last year just put my portfolio where it was at in 2006. I should be happy why?
I'm already a sign of bad luck this week.
Or, am I?
Here's the silver part:
1 - Got to go into work late two days in a row and so I actually saw the sunshine those two days.
2 - Today I'm at home working (except for this 10 minute break) while I get this plumbing issue straightened out. I'll probably get ten times more completed outside of the cube farm.
3 - My credit score should only go up from here.
4 - I have a job.
5 - If I need to, I can go lay down and take a nap to get rid of this headache.
6 - My neighbors are wonderful.
7 - I'm not in foreclosure.
8 - I ate pancakes for breakfast.
9 - My bathroom is now clean, because you always have to clean when you know people are coming over to fix something in your house.
And, the 10th of the 10 ten reasons this messed up week has silver linings is:
10 - You are either happy that I have a life like yours or happy that you don't.
Which reminds me of a quote - "The only good thing about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others."
Have a joyous day!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Priorities
I'm finding it difficult to select the right priorities right now. I should be out at a funeral for my Aunt, but I'm physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Part of me says that I can't afford it, but how can I afford not to be around family and friends at these times?
I work all day and it takes all of the energy that I've got. No, I do not work in a mine or on a construction site. I work with knowledge workers, online developers, e-learning designers, and subject matter experts. It is mentally exhausting for me in many ways. That is partially because I like to strategize and DO work and not philosophize or hold lots of meetings. (Ok, that is the last of my complaining - I do have a good job in a bad economy and for that I am grateful). However, it takes everything out of me and I don't think I think straight once I leave work. I just want extremely low key evenings with no social events.
So, then it becomes really hard to make good decisions, serve others happily and be hopeful.
Sometimes my intentions are far greater than what I can actually get done. I've even cut out most extra curricular activities in all areas of my life to keep it simple. I've cut out driving too much, eating out and buying anything extraneous....even though I still want a new camera!
Anyway, I guess I'm feeling a little guilty for not flying out west for the funeral, for not being able to pay down debt as rapidly as I like, not being able to help others in need as much as I'd like and not being this amazingly helpful, responsive person to everyone that comes in my path.
Perhaps this is part of life and growing up though - making choices, being there sometimes and not others, knowing when you are strong enough to hold others up and when you need to sit it out at home and get your own soul filled up.
The beauty is that it is a constantly changing pattern and so neither the ups or the downs last too long and there is always the time of transition in between.
Ok, hopefully this wasn't a ramble. Well, actually it is a ramble, but you know what...it's my blog and I'm just going to ramble.
It is sounding like this is one of those "sit it out at home and get your own soul filled up" moments, aye?
I work all day and it takes all of the energy that I've got. No, I do not work in a mine or on a construction site. I work with knowledge workers, online developers, e-learning designers, and subject matter experts. It is mentally exhausting for me in many ways. That is partially because I like to strategize and DO work and not philosophize or hold lots of meetings. (Ok, that is the last of my complaining - I do have a good job in a bad economy and for that I am grateful). However, it takes everything out of me and I don't think I think straight once I leave work. I just want extremely low key evenings with no social events.
So, then it becomes really hard to make good decisions, serve others happily and be hopeful.
Sometimes my intentions are far greater than what I can actually get done. I've even cut out most extra curricular activities in all areas of my life to keep it simple. I've cut out driving too much, eating out and buying anything extraneous....even though I still want a new camera!
Anyway, I guess I'm feeling a little guilty for not flying out west for the funeral, for not being able to pay down debt as rapidly as I like, not being able to help others in need as much as I'd like and not being this amazingly helpful, responsive person to everyone that comes in my path.
Perhaps this is part of life and growing up though - making choices, being there sometimes and not others, knowing when you are strong enough to hold others up and when you need to sit it out at home and get your own soul filled up.
The beauty is that it is a constantly changing pattern and so neither the ups or the downs last too long and there is always the time of transition in between.
Ok, hopefully this wasn't a ramble. Well, actually it is a ramble, but you know what...it's my blog and I'm just going to ramble.
It is sounding like this is one of those "sit it out at home and get your own soul filled up" moments, aye?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Get found kid - Get found!
So, a relative sent an email the other day about addictions. The relative shared about a group that is available at our church. The group talks about addictions and gaining a testimony through Jesus Christ to work through these types of things - or at least deal with addictions.
I really enjoy emails like this for a few reasons.
- It makes me realize all of the resources our church has for it's people
- It makes me realize that all of us should be at these types of help groups, but obviously everyone is not ready at the same time to go through the experience
- It gives people permission to feel like they are not alone and would have support to get help
- It shows the importance of sharing trials/challenges in a meaningful way with others
- Many other things I can't think of right now
At the drug and alcohol treatment center I worked in at the Provo Jail, most of the people were there involuntarily. However, once in a while someone would come in that truly wanted to change. Those people were brilliant. They often looked different than the rest of the people because there was a strength and will that the others didn't possess. Those people always inspired me to do a little better, try a little harder, etc. It didn't matter that we didn't have the same addictions or weaknesses because the same principles for overcoming, or living with, were similar.
The 12 step program is amazing and applies to so many areas of life: http://www.12step.org/
Also, when I read the email I thought of many of my family members and friends that are in need. But, most of us don't realize it. I was reminded of a story from the All I need to know I learned in kindergarten book. It was a story of kids playing hide and seek and how one child "hid too well" and the game went on and on and all the kids forgot about the kid hiding and they all went home. The man telling the story said he just wanted to go outside and yell "get found kid, get found!" He further explained that some people he knew suffered in silence through cancer or other illnesses. They decided not to tell anyone and died before anyone knew what really was wrong. Everyone wished that they had been told about the illnesses so they all could have been in it together.
The author suggested that it would be better if we all learned how to play sardines rather than hide and seek. In Sardines you hide with the person you find and at the end of the game everyone is all hidden together in a big jolly group.
It was a powerful little story showing that we are all here to help each other. Today I had another reminder of this when Reeno emailed/wrote on her blog that she had appreciated all of the support she had received after writing about her experiences with PPD at http://rc3w.blogspot.com/.
P.S. I won't mention that the only time I played sardines was at college and I had to go to the health center with a sprained ankle, but hey...at least everyone knew about it and it created friendship and conversation. (-:
I really enjoy emails like this for a few reasons.
- It makes me realize all of the resources our church has for it's people
- It makes me realize that all of us should be at these types of help groups, but obviously everyone is not ready at the same time to go through the experience
- It gives people permission to feel like they are not alone and would have support to get help
- It shows the importance of sharing trials/challenges in a meaningful way with others
- Many other things I can't think of right now
At the drug and alcohol treatment center I worked in at the Provo Jail, most of the people were there involuntarily. However, once in a while someone would come in that truly wanted to change. Those people were brilliant. They often looked different than the rest of the people because there was a strength and will that the others didn't possess. Those people always inspired me to do a little better, try a little harder, etc. It didn't matter that we didn't have the same addictions or weaknesses because the same principles for overcoming, or living with, were similar.
The 12 step program is amazing and applies to so many areas of life: http://www.12step.org/
Also, when I read the email I thought of many of my family members and friends that are in need. But, most of us don't realize it. I was reminded of a story from the All I need to know I learned in kindergarten book. It was a story of kids playing hide and seek and how one child "hid too well" and the game went on and on and all the kids forgot about the kid hiding and they all went home. The man telling the story said he just wanted to go outside and yell "get found kid, get found!" He further explained that some people he knew suffered in silence through cancer or other illnesses. They decided not to tell anyone and died before anyone knew what really was wrong. Everyone wished that they had been told about the illnesses so they all could have been in it together.
The author suggested that it would be better if we all learned how to play sardines rather than hide and seek. In Sardines you hide with the person you find and at the end of the game everyone is all hidden together in a big jolly group.
It was a powerful little story showing that we are all here to help each other. Today I had another reminder of this when Reeno emailed/wrote on her blog that she had appreciated all of the support she had received after writing about her experiences with PPD at http://rc3w.blogspot.com/.
P.S. I won't mention that the only time I played sardines was at college and I had to go to the health center with a sprained ankle, but hey...at least everyone knew about it and it created friendship and conversation. (-:
Saturday, July 19, 2008
So much to write, but so little to say
Ok, this entire week I wrote down blog topics that needed exiting from my mind. Since I can't access the blogosphere at work, and because I was in a fairly intense training, I figured I would be able to write about everything on my mind this weekend.
So far so bad.
I have so much to write, but yet my mind and heart aren't in it right now. It's one of those days where some stressful stuff came up at the end of the day and it really just threw me off course mentally. It's amazing to me how fast that can happen! One minute you can be revealing in the "I had a good day" feeling and then something happens - a phone call, a note, a piece of mail, a comment - and suddenly the heart and mind change. With good news an amazing feeling comes over you. But, like today, sometimes your heart turns to lead (heavy) and your mind asks - Why? Why me? Why us?
This is when I cry, ask why, eat a few things I shouldn't eat and then say those prayers that should be said everyday, but are often lost in the bustle of life.
After a while (minutes/hours), the reality of "life isn't fair" comes back and somehow the mind finds a way to justify that things will be OK and the heart finds a way to move forward despite the challenges that arise.
I'm feeling a little better right now, but ...I still think I'll save those other blog entries for another day.
So far so bad.
I have so much to write, but yet my mind and heart aren't in it right now. It's one of those days where some stressful stuff came up at the end of the day and it really just threw me off course mentally. It's amazing to me how fast that can happen! One minute you can be revealing in the "I had a good day" feeling and then something happens - a phone call, a note, a piece of mail, a comment - and suddenly the heart and mind change. With good news an amazing feeling comes over you. But, like today, sometimes your heart turns to lead (heavy) and your mind asks - Why? Why me? Why us?
This is when I cry, ask why, eat a few things I shouldn't eat and then say those prayers that should be said everyday, but are often lost in the bustle of life.
After a while (minutes/hours), the reality of "life isn't fair" comes back and somehow the mind finds a way to justify that things will be OK and the heart finds a way to move forward despite the challenges that arise.
I'm feeling a little better right now, but ...I still think I'll save those other blog entries for another day.
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