**
Well less than 2 months ago I decided it was time to return to the world of suits, commutes, deadlines and take out lunches. Yes - back to the world of work.
And I did it! In less then 8 weeks, and after 5 years off(!), I landed the first position I went after!! WOOOWHOOO! A great little boost for my ego and confidence as I put myself back in the game.
BIG hugs to Dave, Deanna, Julia, Nadine and everyone who supported me and cheered me on through this process. It was a bit stressful at times and you were all so great in helping me reach this goal, which at times seemed a bit unreachable.
I'm going to work for Kaiser as their Communications Specialist. I'm excited, a little nervous and confident about the future all at the same time.
The girls are in a great new school that they love, we'll be getting a BIG increase in the family income, plus additional benefits. How cool is that? And I get to work with really cool people at a really cool company. SOOOO excited!
I'll be starting on Monday, September 10. I even know what I'm going to wear my first day. I'm going to wear my new grey suit. So chic.
My goal is to be someone that others want to work with. Not someone who is better, smarter or has something to prove. Just someone who can do the job well and play nice in the sandbox. Something that I haven't always done.
Another goal is to improve my writing. I write well but labor over the minutia. I need to write well and write more quickly. We're not looking for Pulitzer Prize winning stuff. Just enough to communicate the message effectively - which also means timely.
I will be a solid member of this team for the next two to three years at which time Dave and the girls and I are going to move out of California. It's too expensive here to have a comfortable life w/out killing yourself to pay the mortgage.
At $---K we should be pretty comfortable for a while ;-)
**
Thursday, August 23
Monday, August 20
A Soft Place to Fall
**
If there was one thing that I could give to my girls it would be a shield. A shield from the cruelty they will doubtless encounter as they grow up and face the world.
I can't, of course, protect my girls from every hurt. Big or small. But maybe we can give them a strong enough sense of themselves, and the knowledge that they'll always have a soft place to fall, that the words and deeds meant to hurt them will be dulled a bit.
They'll always have Dave.
They'll always have Me.
And, they'll always have home.
A soft place to fall when the rest of the world gets to be too tough.
**
If there was one thing that I could give to my girls it would be a shield. A shield from the cruelty they will doubtless encounter as they grow up and face the world.
I can't, of course, protect my girls from every hurt. Big or small. But maybe we can give them a strong enough sense of themselves, and the knowledge that they'll always have a soft place to fall, that the words and deeds meant to hurt them will be dulled a bit.
They'll always have Dave.
They'll always have Me.
And, they'll always have home.
A soft place to fall when the rest of the world gets to be too tough.
**
Sunday, August 19
Photographic Marvel
**
I'd like to claim this as my own but it actually belongs to photographer Dean Bertoncelj. He took this photo on Spain's Lanzarote Island during a raptor show. It was published in the June 2007 issue of National Geographic.
I love the intense expression on the eagle's face. If you look closely, you'll see he's just snatched a fish.
It's such a great photo I had to share.
**
I'd like to claim this as my own but it actually belongs to photographer Dean Bertoncelj. He took this photo on Spain's Lanzarote Island during a raptor show. It was published in the June 2007 issue of National Geographic.
I love the intense expression on the eagle's face. If you look closely, you'll see he's just snatched a fish.
It's such a great photo I had to share.
**
Friday, August 17
WHEW!!
**
Interview complete. I can breathe a sigh of relief and get a good night sleep. Actually I'll probably take a nap this afternoon.
This was crazy nerve wracking and I'm not sure why. I've interviewed for a lot of jobs and never been quite this jittery.
The detailed writing project that the final four (Yes, I was in the final four. HOO-RAW!) was challenging but I met the challenge well and delivered quality material, so that isn't a worry.
I didn't sleep well at all last night in anticipation of the interview this morning and was a bit of a wreck when the sun came up. I know that didn't help.
The real cause of the nervousness is that I really want the job. It is a great match for my skill set. The people seem friendly, and the environment appears collaborative. The commute is reasonable, and the travel requirements are minimal.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I should know by next Friday. Wish me luck!
**
Interview complete. I can breathe a sigh of relief and get a good night sleep. Actually I'll probably take a nap this afternoon.
This was crazy nerve wracking and I'm not sure why. I've interviewed for a lot of jobs and never been quite this jittery.
The detailed writing project that the final four (Yes, I was in the final four. HOO-RAW!) was challenging but I met the challenge well and delivered quality material, so that isn't a worry.
I didn't sleep well at all last night in anticipation of the interview this morning and was a bit of a wreck when the sun came up. I know that didn't help.
The real cause of the nervousness is that I really want the job. It is a great match for my skill set. The people seem friendly, and the environment appears collaborative. The commute is reasonable, and the travel requirements are minimal.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I should know by next Friday. Wish me luck!
**
Tuesday, August 14
A Tribute To The Man I Love...,
**
...and who loves me. Even when I'm not acting all that lovable, he still loves me. Never wavering, never doubting - he always loves me and I feel safe. Safe enough to be who I am without fear that he'll leave or that his love will change. There is nothing better than knowing, trusting and loving this man.
Everyday that passes I am amazed that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. He brings out the best in me and helps to curb the worst.
Everyone says I'm spoiled. It's true and it's a wonderful thing. I do my best to make sure he feels as spoiled and as loved as I do.
Happy Anniversary, Dave. I love you.
***
...and who loves me. Even when I'm not acting all that lovable, he still loves me. Never wavering, never doubting - he always loves me and I feel safe. Safe enough to be who I am without fear that he'll leave or that his love will change. There is nothing better than knowing, trusting and loving this man.
Everyday that passes I am amazed that I get to spend the rest of my life with him. He brings out the best in me and helps to curb the worst.
Everyone says I'm spoiled. It's true and it's a wonderful thing. I do my best to make sure he feels as spoiled and as loved as I do.
Happy Anniversary, Dave. I love you.
***
Monday, August 13
Cherauckwa. Cherauckwhat???
**
"Alex, please go help your sister get the drum so she can play music with you."
"Rachel! Don't touch my Cherauckwa!"
"Alex, she won't touch it. Just go help her get the drum off the shelf."
"OK. Ray! Don't Touch my Cherauckwa."
"Don't worry, Alex, she won't touch it. And it's a piano, by the way."
"I KNOW THAT! I'm calling it a Cherauckwa because I'm playing Cherauckwa music."
All righty then.
**
"Alex, please go help your sister get the drum so she can play music with you."
"Rachel! Don't touch my Cherauckwa!"
"Alex, she won't touch it. Just go help her get the drum off the shelf."
"OK. Ray! Don't Touch my Cherauckwa."
"Don't worry, Alex, she won't touch it. And it's a piano, by the way."
"I KNOW THAT! I'm calling it a Cherauckwa because I'm playing Cherauckwa music."
All righty then.
**
Sunday, August 12
Wondering Where We've Been??
**
Daily Swimming Lessons - sooo much fun.
Alex mastering the back-float.
Not sure how much 'learning' is actually going on here,
but little Rachel is having a ball.
Alex is really giving this her all!
Too, Too Cute!!
To the zoo where we ALWAYS see something new.
– A Mother's Love –
And the job search is on. I'm currently knee deep in the interview process for my target job as a Communications Specialist. I'm down to the final four with a writing project due on Friday. My final interview is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 a.m. So - lots of reviewing resources, strategies and tactics, practicing interviewing techniques and writing in the week ahead. Wish me luck. It's really the perfect position for me - a solid match.
Oh, yes and more swimming lessons. My two little fish are having a ball.
**
Daily Swimming Lessons - sooo much fun.
Alex mastering the back-float.
Not sure how much 'learning' is actually going on here,but little Rachel is having a ball.
Alex is really giving this her all!
Too, Too Cute!!To the zoo where we ALWAYS see something new.
– A Mother's Love – A constant across the animal kingdom.
An adolescent wondering what we're all staring at.
An adolescent wondering what we're all staring at.And the job search is on. I'm currently knee deep in the interview process for my target job as a Communications Specialist. I'm down to the final four with a writing project due on Friday. My final interview is scheduled for Friday at 9:30 a.m. So - lots of reviewing resources, strategies and tactics, practicing interviewing techniques and writing in the week ahead. Wish me luck. It's really the perfect position for me - a solid match.
Oh, yes and more swimming lessons. My two little fish are having a ball.
**
Tuesday, July 31
Conversations with Rachel
**
"grrrrr," Rachel growls from the back seat as we're heading out for a play date with the twins.
I look back at her and she says, "I'm frustrated, grrrr."
'"What's wrong hun? Why are you frustrated?"
"You're driving me crazy!" she says.
"Me? What am I doing to drive you crazy?"
"You're freakin' me out!"
"Really?" stifling my laughter.
"Yes. You're a nut!"
I can't stand it anymore & I burst out laughing as Rachel responds again with "grrrr"
(Can you guess where she heard all those phrases??)
**
"grrrrr," Rachel growls from the back seat as we're heading out for a play date with the twins.
I look back at her and she says, "I'm frustrated, grrrr."
'"What's wrong hun? Why are you frustrated?"
"You're driving me crazy!" she says.
"Me? What am I doing to drive you crazy?"
"You're freakin' me out!"
"Really?" stifling my laughter.
"Yes. You're a nut!"
I can't stand it anymore & I burst out laughing as Rachel responds again with "grrrr"
(Can you guess where she heard all those phrases??)
**
Sunday, July 29
The Price of Petty
**
Sorry for this less than fun post. I've got to get this off my chest and I need a little advice.
**
What do you say to those who spread gossip. Not simple, innocuous gossip - but calculated, misleading information meant to create an angst filled drama complete with petty retributions.
What do you say to those who hear the gossip and so readily believe it, without fact checking or the benefit of doubt. And how do you react to the resulting retaliation?
**
I've wracked my brain for a constructive way to address both parties. But, short of throttling them or cutting them out of our lives entirely (very sad for my kids), each idea has come up lacking. Any suggestions ??
**
Sorry for this less than fun post. I've got to get this off my chest and I need a little advice.
**
What do you say to those who spread gossip. Not simple, innocuous gossip - but calculated, misleading information meant to create an angst filled drama complete with petty retributions.
What do you say to those who hear the gossip and so readily believe it, without fact checking or the benefit of doubt. And how do you react to the resulting retaliation?
**
I've wracked my brain for a constructive way to address both parties. But, short of throttling them or cutting them out of our lives entirely (very sad for my kids), each idea has come up lacking. Any suggestions ??
**
**
Sorry for this, less than fun post - but I've got to get this off my chest!
**
*sigh*
What do you say to those who spread gossip? Not simple, innocuous gossip - but calculated, misleading information meant to create an angst-filled drama complete with petty retributions.
What do you say to those who hear the gossip and so readily believe it, without fact-checking or the benefit of the doubt. And how do you react to the resulting retaliation?
*sigh*
The answer is easy - unless it's with your family of origin. Oh - then it's all so much stickier and part of a much, much larger picture that encompasses too many people, too much history, too many issues.
*sigh*
At the heart of this, for me, are my kids and my husband. It hurts and things that bring me pain, by extension, bring pain to my immediate family. It's an ugly, pettiness that I won't welcome into our lives. And, because I won't continue to expose myself or my family to subtle and not-so-subtle abuse and manipulation, my girls will miss out on key, lifelong relationships. It breaks my heart that this petty, baseless retribution comes at such an incredibly high price.
*sigh*
**
Sorry for this, less than fun post - but I've got to get this off my chest!
**
*sigh*
What do you say to those who spread gossip? Not simple, innocuous gossip - but calculated, misleading information meant to create an angst-filled drama complete with petty retributions.
What do you say to those who hear the gossip and so readily believe it, without fact-checking or the benefit of the doubt. And how do you react to the resulting retaliation?
*sigh*
The answer is easy - unless it's with your family of origin. Oh - then it's all so much stickier and part of a much, much larger picture that encompasses too many people, too much history, too many issues.
*sigh*
At the heart of this, for me, are my kids and my husband. It hurts and things that bring me pain, by extension, bring pain to my immediate family. It's an ugly, pettiness that I won't welcome into our lives. And, because I won't continue to expose myself or my family to subtle and not-so-subtle abuse and manipulation, my girls will miss out on key, lifelong relationships. It breaks my heart that this petty, baseless retribution comes at such an incredibly high price.
*sigh*
**
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