Hm.

Nothing really to write about - just kind of sitting here thinking about the fact that while I have work to do, I don't actually feel like doing it. All the while, I will end up doing it because that is who I am (even though it isn't really my work).

It is great weather - cold in the morning and night, warm during the day. I still have work to do...which is good since a lot don't right now. I have friends and family.

So really - it's all good today and can only get better.

Parenting

It is an honor to be a parent- something that not everyone is awarded or, and this is worse, not everyone who is awarded it appreciates.

Just a random thought that I needed to state for the cosmos.

It's finally here!!! FOOTBALL WEATHER!

Yes, football season started months ago, and you can watch football in shorts and t-shirts - some people actually prefer that - I am not those people! This morning I got to get up, put on a sweater AND a scarf and knew that I would be comfortable.

All I can hope is that this weather stays for the weekend so I can see my boys play in proper football weather...

BRING ON THE FROST!!!!

Sunday update - it was over 80 degrees and we all got way too much sun at the game. What the hell.

Is it really finally fall?

This morning it was a rainbow, and now it is chilly enough to warrant the old tried and true college sweatshirt.

Seriously awesome day!!!!!!!

I saw a rainbow today!

On my way into work - a beautiful rainbow over the car riding with me to the office. Funny how it disappeared when I got here but that is a whole other story.

When I see a rainbow, it is going to be a wonderful day!!!!

She just knows me!!!

I got an email this morning from my best friend...

For some reason this made me think of you... :)

Powerful Women's Motto:
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders & says... "Oh shit....she's awake!!!"?

How can I not have a great day now?!?!?!

It's good to be

I had a great weekend - the family was in town, the games were all great - my player rocked his place on that field, and I announced from the stands which is more fun for a couple reasons. The first is my Daddy was right behind me making color commentary which make me laugh (he is still the only one who can make me laugh no matter what and I am no longer a young girl!!!) and the second is everyone now sees that absolute insanity that is announcing!!! It is a blast though...even if we did lose...again.

The weather here (somewhere on planet earth) is beautiful, I am employed and well, that is a lot in today's world.

It's another predetermined happy day and good luck to those that try to destroy it for me!

It's going to be a GREAT day!!!

Not because the family is coming in town, or it is Friday and I am 7ish hours from the weekend (give or take a few) - just because I am happy today!

I woke up at 4:30am (nasty clock - telling me things like that, who wants to really know the time when they wake up in the middle of the night?!?!) and decided, no matter what happens today, how many people rant, how many things don't go as 'planned' I am going to have a great day.

I threw on jeans, a white t and The Scarf, and headed to work, and you know what? I am right - 'cuz another awesome lady at work said it was a great day and we are happy today.

Bring on Friday - the day of the returning smile!

Shoes - yes, I said Shoes

But not just shoes, red snake skin mary janes with 2 diagonal straps and a killer 4ish inch (you know they have a platform, right???) heel. I love these shoes.

They were a surprise arrival on my doorstep (thanks MOM!!!!) and they rock the world. I had multiple reasons for these shoes today - one, was a lunch, the other, and much more important, was the need to rock today. I have meetings, work stuff that I need to remember that I am good at today and these shoes, well they are my rope tying me to sanity for the day.

It's funny, while I often write about little things that make me happy, these shoes are one of the little things.

Did I mention the matching clutch?!?!?!

Fairy Tales

In my earlier life, you know, when I was young, I was the one that wrote about the dreams coming true for all. I had a vivid imaginary life, Figment (might I add I am so sorry if you don't know who Figment is - find out immediately) would have been proud. Growing up, learning and maturing, did stifle it somewhat but I still live under the feeling that everything happens for a reason and things will work out and all will be well. And I still use my inner Figment, often.

Right now, life is crazy and while some might say it is a crazy bad, I see it as a crazy opportunity...life is not a fairy tale, the good guy doesn't always win, the princess doesn't always get her prince, and the cream does not always rise to the top. No, life is not a fairy tale, but it is mine, and I will take advantage of it and be me...this princess will have her prince, whatever, who or what 'prince' might be!

How well do people know you?

Do you ever have one of those moments, one of those odd times that it clicks in your head that another person really has no idea who you are. No, not one of those awkward "I know I met someone but I don't know who they are" moments, one of those "Wow - I have known these people for years and they still just don't get it". These people might not know they are so off but you do.

And then, there are those opposite moments, where it occurs to you that someone knows you even better than you know yourself. And WOW - those are the moments that stop you in your tracks.

Anywhere USA - really, the economy is bad?

I was sitting in the gym last night, talking to another parent about 401ks, college funds and how the stock market is tanking (because isn't that what we all talk about right now? The election is even boring compared to the money everyone is losing on a short term basis). Three of us talked about the eminent, or already occurred, lay offs that we are each seeing at our companies, or spouses companies. Stress doesn't even begin to describe the mood we all felt, yet each of us have our way of dealing with it (basketball, the bar, cooking, etc).

Then another parent comes in and starts talking about the new car almost purchased in their family and how this new car could be kept for 7 years and their son could drive it then.

I will leave it to your imagination, but it was not a KIA they were talking about, it was something that costs more than my house.

My poor kid, he's going to learn the joy of saving and buy one himself!

OTA

I have a wonderful friend - whom I met with the question "You do know we won the war, right?" another long story, I seriously should write a book about all the truly awesome people I have met and how I met them - who just called and told me today was going to be a gooder day.

And you know what? Because of that call - it is!!!!!

How's that for the kick off to a new summit?

All that said

I am not me right now, and my wonderful team - my wonderful friend, would say I am not smiling.

They'd be right, and I am sorry for that.

School for Innovators

I was sent to the School for Innovators for work - a team building exercise with new members of the extended team. It wasn't only us though, there were guides and 'stretchers'. Regardless of the number, we became a team. We went though a singular journey, together.

Now, clearly I like to share my thoughts and have no trouble speaking (or at least writing) but even I have walls and limits. What I thought was going to be a week of business team building and integration of climbing into business turned out to be a completely personal journey.

I am not going to go into extensive detail on this, but I will say that anyone who has a chance to go to Rolf Smith's School for Innovators needs to go AND needs to be prepared to learn things about themselves that may or may not be surprising.

We, as a team, climbed up Old Man Mountain and scaled 45+ degree rock faces tied to each other literally and figuratively. We trusted each other that we wouldn't judge, laugh or make fun when we stated a deep fact about ourselves or simply needed a break while climbing because it was all too much.

I made friends - globally - that I know if I was in town I could call, or if I wasn't I could call, and this was after only spending 5 days together. I figured out that I am not happy where I am...one wonderful person who was on this journey with me asked me (once we were back at our very long week long meeting) why I wasn't smiling. The thing is, I was smiling but it wasn't my true smile, or laugh, it was the show I put on here to others who don't know any better. I was happier without electricity in every room, without 100% running water, heels, make-up and regular meals. I was getting to see the whole picture, how what seems like the end of the world back here was tiny compared to what was in the world for us.

I came back loving my family more, knowing I needed to prioritize life. And not in the listing sort of way, but in what worked for me and my family; for me and my friends. I miss me and being the happy me I know I really am deep down.

The fact is - sometimes we all get too hung up in the next paycheck or meeting, and while that is very important because it is how we function and keep our families safe and fed, it is not our life, it might not be our career, it might just be a job. No one can force you to be unhappy - you are in control of yourself. They might be able to beat you down, but find that mountain, that rock face, that team that makes you laugh again and hold onto it.

Me? I have my family, my friends, my journal. And next year - more mountains.

Suitcases open doors - mountains open eyes. Now let's see if I remember to keep mine open.