Days Go By

Today is my 31st post.   (It hit me because that's like a calendar month, except it isn't because I only write during the week!)      Its been 42 days since I resigned from corporate madness.    Its been approximately 15 days since I reactivated by real estate license.    Its been 4 days since I started structured training to run a 5k.    My goal was in 365 days to re-create myself in a manner consistent with the "more meaning, less things" mantra.  I think a lot has changed in a short time and I've managed to deal with it and not be committed to local psych ward!  That's an accomplishment in itself.   So I like to think I'm on track.  I'd be very interested to know what others think (honestly, I do want to hear!)

If 60 days ago someone would have predicted this, I would have laughed in their face.   I was always too much of a planner and had my resignation gone to plan, I now believe I would still be working in corporate madness, stupidly believing that I was transitioning out of my position at an agreed upon point in the future, while management delayed and probably had me finding my replacement!!    Just for fun, here are a couple examples of how my work life was:

• A few weeks after my resignation, I was handling some personal banking where some of our corporate accounts were.   The teller asked which account I wanted to access, and as I only had one personal account at this bank requested a list.  Yes, I was still on the corporate accounts.    Even after resigning, I had to contact them and tell them what to do!!!
• During last performance review, I shared with the CEO that I believed I was held to a higher standard than all others.   His Answer:   I was!   Because I was more capable and could do more!   It would appear the lesson here is not to be too good in your job.   Seriously wrong!

So that is what I left.    Definitely the right decision.    I am cheering inside.

So now I have 323 days to "change".  Already have in some important ways:  health and mentally.  Now its finding that career with low hours and high pay BUT I want to work for myself.    I have some thoughts, some ideas turning around in my head.  I need to move forward with the execution and I am hoping that when I get to 90 days things will have moved from ideas to partially executed plans.    Wonderful Man, patient that he is, is also wanting to be clued in!!!

Today's plan, however:   Cleaning the House.   Monday's post could be fun!      For your enjoyment and because they are so darn cute, here's a pic of Dogs 1 and 2.    Have a great weekend!

Dining Room's Demise

I hope you are all as happy as I am that my Ipod was saved and is working!   That also means I have no excuse not to train today.   So, when I'm finished here I will again attempt to run with my Ipod!   I'm thinking of covering the sump pump completely, however, because I'm just worried that if it can happen once...it could happen again.  ALSO....Wonderful Man brought home a flashlight just for me!!!   (He Reads!!!)  It was not pink, but who cares!!!   And, its small, designed for a woman.  Not some big, old thing I can barely lift.  Thank You, Wonderful Man!!!

I have been busy with paperwork, etc, reactivating my real estate license and working with someone who is looking to take advantage of the historically low rates and move into larger home.   In doing so, I had the opportunity to view a super floor plan.   Very open main level, large kitchen with island and walk-in pantry, "mud room" area off garage, and office on the main level.    What's missing:  Formal Dining Room.    This is interesting for me because when I sold previously, a formal dining room was important to have - but everyone clearly acknowledged they would rarely use it.     (I also have a formal dining room with formal furniture that has become a hot spot for Boy 2 to set his school and sports bags - that's its sole purpose, unless you count Boy 1's shoes that appear each night.)  

In having an office on the main level, this plan incorporates the reality of today's families.  They are busy people!!     First, many more people work out of their home and the idea of using a bedroom isn't always acceptable.   Second, media and computer access are critical to operating any family.   How many of kids activity schedules or communicated via email?   Its efficient to have access where we spend majority of time!   Third, the computer is used by kids and having a place (not the kitchen table!) where the kids can have monitored access is just a smart idea!  

So for me, this is a plan that incorporates how we live today.  Gone are the more formal aspects of family life (sit-down Sunday dinners).    Family now gathers in the kitchen around the island and friends are invited into the office to look up the latest decorating trend or see recent kid photos posted on-line.    I love the practicality of this plan (and its gorgeous!) but it makes me wonder if I can re-purpose my dining room to be more functional and lose its locker-room appeal!    I'll keep you posted on any ideas!

The Day the Music Died

Image via Wikipedia

In case you weren't feeling too great about how your day started, let me share with you yesterday morning and maybe it will make you feel better!

I stated yesterday that after I was done blogging I was going to train for my 5k.    Sure, I'm all motivated.   But its really hot and humid here (even at 6 a.m.!!) so in an attempt to make sure my commitment doesn't waver, I am using our treadmill instead of running outside.   I put on my running shoes and grab water and my Ipod.   I'm feeling good and motivated.

Our treadmill is in a small unfinished area of our basement.   It resides with a weight bench and I've always been proud of how efficiently we've used this space, which except for  having the sump pump, probably would be used by most people as storage.     I'm using a walk/run method which claims I will develop a 30-minute running habit in 3 weeks.    I complete about 28 minutes of my time when disaster strikes.

So I'm feeling challenged by the pace but excited that I managed to maintain. As I run, my Ipod sits on  the treadmill's control panel, with headphones attached. My arms are swinging as I finish the final run and come down on the headphone cord strong enough to cause the Ipod to................fly off the panel, gravity swings Ipod vertically with enough force to disconnect from headphones, hit the treadmill running belt, and   ????????????    This happens in seconds obviously and the treadmill has to slow down gradually, of course!   I had heard the Ipod drop but didn't see where it went. I kneel down and look under the treadmill and all around the area, but I can't find it! I run upstairs to find flashlight, sending quick email to Wonderful Man asking if he thinks the Ipod could have fallen inside the treadmill (he laughed when he read that!) with second email asking where he would keep a flashlight.  I then go to garage to search for flashlight.

(Side Note: I have since discovered that our only flashlight is kept in Wonderful Man's truck, which would be with him, which would not help me at all!!!! I think Wonderful Man needs to go get a flashlight - maybe pink! - and bring it home to me!!!!!)

At this time, Boy 2 shows up and I immediately "ask" him to help me.   (Boy 2 would say there was no asking!!!)    Using his teenage-boy strength, he easily slides the treadmill over and we see no Ipod.  He looks around and we both look at the sump pump.   "You don't think???????" he says.    See, the sump pump is covered, but has an opening of about 2" x 6" to allow for the pipe.     2" x 6" in a 10 foot square area!!!!!  What are the odds of the angle when it bounced off the treadmill of landing in the sump pump???

The odds may be a long shot, but apparently yesterday was my day to hit the long shot!!!!     Boy 2 pulls lid off and says "I see it" and retrieves it from the pit, which was not full of water but had water on the bottom where it landed.  You all know electronics and water don't mix.   We carefully take the Ipod and rush upstairs.   Boy 2 keeps saying "Rice, put it in Rice".  I get on-line and guess what, he knew what he was talking about.   While there are no guarantees, it is recommended that you put your device in a bowl of Rice for an extended period of time.    And that's where my Ipod sits this a.m.    In a bowl of rice on my counter, looks kind of like an offering to the Gods!!   Later today I am going to try and turn it on to see if we were quick enough or if I'm destined to continue training in silence.

Anyway, I was thinking to myself what a rotten way to start the day, all of my earlier elation at completing my training gone,  and wondered what else was in store for me.    I quickly stopped myself  from these thoughts, however, recognizing that focusing on the negative would only breed more negative.    And It Worked.    I had a great day with no further mishaps!!     I read somewhere that if you are positive and pleasant to everyone you meet until mid-morning, the rest of the day takes care of itself!     So, don't let bad starts ruin the rest of your day!!  Take it in stride (but strongly suggest always having rice on hand!!!)

Have a great Wednesday!

What's Left to Do!

I had a conversation yesterday and listened to someone say "Well, I shouldn't have done that" in reference to a past employment decision. I get that - I can certainly think of many times where a different choice would have been a better choice! (Like maybe last month in sending a certain email the way I did!!!) But I was reminded of this quote as I listened.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did so." --Mark Twain

The further away we get from our actions or decisions, the less they matter and the regret we may feel is reduced.  BUT for the things we never have done but wanted to do....that is where we feel the disappointment.    This is part of my whole rediscovery.   To try and do those things that I've always wanted to - in some fashion - before I've gotten too far down the road and am unable to.  After I post this, its off to continue today's training for my 5k!!  So there's one thing I'm working on.   


Bringing more meaning into my life through my "work" is still not clear yet.   (Actually just having "work" is still not clear!  BUT I am working at real estate today, just in case anyone is thinking I'm sitting around watching soaps and eating bon-bons!)      But I know its coming.  I have absolute faith that there's something for me.  I need to be open and willing to take the leap into something unknown.  Not settle for status quo and try and "fit" the meaning in after corporate work hours!  I am also working on having less "things" in my life, trying to remove items that just take up space but have no importance or function.  (I found an entire bag of car phone chargers for phones we don't own any more!!)   It feels good to purge these items and open up space in our home.


So I challenge you to think strongly about what you HAVEN'T done in life that you've always wanted to.    Ask yourself how you will feel in 20 years if those things remain undone.     (For me, my "Ah-Ha" moment was asking myself what people could really say I'd done with my life OUTSIDE of work.)    I am experiencing a great sense of satisfaction by just working on one of my To-Do's.   I can only imagine how I will feel if I continue to "live" my list!

Vacation Over...Back to "Work Week"

So vacation's over and .....WHAT????     I'm kind of freaking out here.

My norm after vacation has been to prepare for the upcoming work week.   On Sunday evening I would:

1. Finish massive loads of laundry (including clean clothes that Boys 1 and 2 packed but didn't wear but still would end up in the laundry!)
2. Check company email to get head start on Monday Morning.
3. Repeat out loud, multiple times, how refreshed I am AND ready to get back to work. (This was done in an attempt to fool myself into actually believing it!)

So tonight I'm .....writing this blog.  Laundry is half done. (Boys 1 and  2 did their own!)  No company Email.  No work, so no need to try and fool myself into thinking that I don't want to be on vacation.   Who was I kidding back then?   I mean really, if you have the choice between work and vacation, I'm thinking 99% of all people would choose vacation!!   (The other 1% need immediate medical attention.)  So, why try and tell yourself you are ready to go to work?

Some of my research led me to a book titled "The 4-Hour Workweek".  "Escape 9-5.  Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich".   Hmmm.  Well, I've certainly escaped 9-5.  I'd like to stay in my home and joining the New or Old Rich would be fine (I won't discriminate!)   Based on my limited understanding, the author's premise is that most work can be completed more efficiently and in less time by working remotely.   I don't disagree with this concept; I have often been much more productive when working from home.   The key is getting your boss to agree that this will work full time and the suggestion is that if they don't, its time to find a different job.  (Or maybe in this author's case - write a book!)  He also describes how most people over-work during their prime, dreaming of that time we call "retirement", only to reach it and wonder if funds and health will last.  I don't disagree with this either, and while I don't recommend foolishness, I do think people need to live more in the moment and experience life NOW not when you reach some government-dictated age.   There's just this issue of how to fund it all???

Noticed that the price of the book has been slashed in 1/2 on Amazon so I wonder how its working out for him?   Still, I may just check this one out....from the library!