Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of our program. Twelve short months ago we opened the doors for business and we've been busy growing ever since.
In many ways it's difficult to believe it's been a year - it still feels "new" to me. And we still have a long way to go - there are areas that still need refining, developing, and improvement. We're on a five year track to be the very best program in our state. And that's gonna be tough because there are some great programs out there - programs that currently serve as my model. I feel honored to be among these programs and the individuals who have created and developed them. These are people who have a true passion and love for what they do - and it's apparent in their success.
In some ways it feels like we've been operating for much longer than a year. I've grown and learned so much - it's been a challenging but rewarding experience. I've had moments of disappointment, discouragement, and frustration. Moments when I felt lost, overwhelmed, and completely inept. But they were just moments and are not the sum total of my experience...and they were moments that I knew to expect. That's the great thing about being surrounded by people that care about you - they help to prepare and guide you, help to confirm that everything you feel is normal, help to assure you that you move past the fear and anxiety.
I remember the very first day, meeting with my one full-time staff person (yes, only one. The ridiculousness of that is not lost on me) who had never worked in the programs before. I told her that the first year would be a little difficult but that if she could stick with me for a year that I would get us through. And she's been great. She's really got a heart for the job - she's passionate and caring and patient. And she's stuck around while I try to figure out what works and what doesn't...and that is saying a lot!
So tomorrow marks a milestone in my professional career and I'm glad to have it down. Like most things in life, the most difficult part is the very beginning...So bring on year two, let's see what I can do!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Fair Game
I have a confession - I love the state fair. I'm not into the rides, the silly little games, or really even the food. Although I am oddly intrigued by fried bacon cheddar mashed potatoes on a stick...
I love the fair for two reasons: people watching and getting to spend time with one of my dearest friends. It's become an annual event with us - to walk, talk and stare. The first year we walked around for about 10 hours - which was pretty impressive since I was very, very pregnant. But when you're with a great friend having a good conversation it's easy to lose track of time...
I didn't think we were gonna get to go this year and I was a little bummed that we couldn't keep our tradition...so when I found out it was going to work out we put the zoo on hold and opted for the fair instead. It was just as fun for the girls and probably a little more entertaining for me. Actually, a lot more entertaining - such a large variety of "interesting" people. Here are some thoughts I had while people watching, or more honestly, people judging:
1. There should be body measurement requirements for women wanting to get a playboy bunny tattoo. On some bodies it's just a cruel contradiction.
2. I know ripped jeans are very trendy right now but that doesn't mean taking a pair of jeans that are two sizes too small and slicing them down the front so that you can squeeze your thighs into them is acceptable. You are not fooling anyone.
3. If your belly hangs down or out - wear a shirt large enough to cover it. Please.
4. Don't try to pull off short shorts with cowboy boots unless you've got an almost perfect body. It's a super hot look but most of us can't pull it off - it just draws attention to any and every flaw. Do feel free to try that look at home for your special someone - he'll be so happy to see his wild cowgirl that he won't notice the flaws. And don't forget to wear your hat.
5. No adult should wear crocs. Ever.
And the winner of the Tackiest Shirt Award goes to the guy who proudly declared across the back of his t-shirt "You've Never Met A Mother Fucker Quite Like Me". And he's right, thankfully I haven't. His wife and two kids are not so fortunate.
Honorable Mention goes to the women whose shirt featured the tootsie pop owl with "Wanna Lick It?" across the front. I'm thinking if you have to wear a shirt to ask then the wise answer would be no.
And that folks is why I love the fair...
I love the fair for two reasons: people watching and getting to spend time with one of my dearest friends. It's become an annual event with us - to walk, talk and stare. The first year we walked around for about 10 hours - which was pretty impressive since I was very, very pregnant. But when you're with a great friend having a good conversation it's easy to lose track of time...
I didn't think we were gonna get to go this year and I was a little bummed that we couldn't keep our tradition...so when I found out it was going to work out we put the zoo on hold and opted for the fair instead. It was just as fun for the girls and probably a little more entertaining for me. Actually, a lot more entertaining - such a large variety of "interesting" people. Here are some thoughts I had while people watching, or more honestly, people judging:
1. There should be body measurement requirements for women wanting to get a playboy bunny tattoo. On some bodies it's just a cruel contradiction.
2. I know ripped jeans are very trendy right now but that doesn't mean taking a pair of jeans that are two sizes too small and slicing them down the front so that you can squeeze your thighs into them is acceptable. You are not fooling anyone.
3. If your belly hangs down or out - wear a shirt large enough to cover it. Please.
4. Don't try to pull off short shorts with cowboy boots unless you've got an almost perfect body. It's a super hot look but most of us can't pull it off - it just draws attention to any and every flaw. Do feel free to try that look at home for your special someone - he'll be so happy to see his wild cowgirl that he won't notice the flaws. And don't forget to wear your hat.
5. No adult should wear crocs. Ever.
And the winner of the Tackiest Shirt Award goes to the guy who proudly declared across the back of his t-shirt "You've Never Met A Mother Fucker Quite Like Me". And he's right, thankfully I haven't. His wife and two kids are not so fortunate.
Honorable Mention goes to the women whose shirt featured the tootsie pop owl with "Wanna Lick It?" across the front. I'm thinking if you have to wear a shirt to ask then the wise answer would be no.
And that folks is why I love the fair...
Friday, September 16, 2011
List Bliss
It's Friday, which makes me very, very happy. Know what else makes me happy? You got it - a list! Here are some other things that make me happy...
1. People who make me laugh
2. Popcorn
3. Actually having an umbrella when it rains
4. Fall
5. The way M2 scrunches up her nose when she smiles
6. Pretty undergarments
7. Sooner football
8. The smell of new books
9. Clean sheets
10. Good ol trash talkin
11. Late night swims with my hubby
12. High heels
13. Having such an awesome family
14. Mexican food
15. Having the door held open for me
16. Dancing
17. When M tells me I'm her favorite Mommy - yeah, okay, she's only got one but it still makes me happy
18. Sleeping in
19. Feeling like what I do can make a difference
20. Opening all the windows in the house, turning on the radio and cleaning the house
21. Eating dinner at the table as a family
22. Real, old fashioned notes
1. People who make me laugh
2. Popcorn
3. Actually having an umbrella when it rains
4. Fall
5. The way M2 scrunches up her nose when she smiles
6. Pretty undergarments
7. Sooner football
8. The smell of new books
9. Clean sheets
10. Good ol trash talkin
11. Late night swims with my hubby
12. High heels
13. Having such an awesome family
14. Mexican food
15. Having the door held open for me
16. Dancing
17. When M tells me I'm her favorite Mommy - yeah, okay, she's only got one but it still makes me happy
18. Sleeping in
19. Feeling like what I do can make a difference
20. Opening all the windows in the house, turning on the radio and cleaning the house
21. Eating dinner at the table as a family
22. Real, old fashioned notes
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thankful For A Bad Day
I seriously had a horrible day. It was just down right crummy.
I left work thankful that the day was nearing a close and I walk out to a light sprinkle of rain to discover my car wouldn't start. How appropriate. I couldn't reach the hubby and there was no one in the parking lot. Even better. Wait, another human being! Thank goodness someone was working a little late!
So my buddy Chris pulls his car around and we're good to go, right? No. There was something...strange about his battery. Now I have no clue about cars, don't know anything about them. But I do know what a battery looks like and his did not look anything like it should. He was just as perplexed as I was. I know it's weird but I wasn't even sure if what he thought was his battery was in fact a battery - so I sent him on his way and continued my quest for assistance.
After finding a lovely gentleman to assist me, I was on the way home to put this day to rest. As I was driving I was thinking of the day as a whole and reflecting on the series of bad. Really sulking and licking my wounds. And it struck me how ironic it was that I had started the day off with such a different attitude.
This morning I had a scheduled phone meeting at 8:30. I get to work early, 7:45 at the latest - and that's including a quick stop for my Diet Pepsi fix. So when we were setting up the time I was going to schedule it for 8:00 - but I didn't, I said 8:30 instead. I had car trouble this morning and guess what? I rolled in at 8:20. So as I was driving to work all I could think was how good God was - even thought I had trouble that caused me to be late, He had arranged that I wouldn't miss this phone call. And I was thankful that He made provision for me.
Then I had a moment of clarity - He had done that for me throughout the whole day, continuously. I was just so absorbed in myself that it wasn't apparent. It was easy for me to give thanks and glory to God this morning because I could see, without looking too hard, the benefit to me. But even in the midst of strife He is working in my life. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He is working in our lives always.
So I became thankful for today. Thankful that God was working to teach me grace and humility. Thankful that He was working to teach me patience. Thankful that He was working to teach me understanding. Thankful that He was working to teach me forgiveness. I was fighting it the whole time - yet, despite my resistance, He made provision for me.
So I am thankful, not just for the good days but for the bad days too because there is a lesson and purpose in each of them. Sometimes I just have to look a little harder to find it...
I left work thankful that the day was nearing a close and I walk out to a light sprinkle of rain to discover my car wouldn't start. How appropriate. I couldn't reach the hubby and there was no one in the parking lot. Even better. Wait, another human being! Thank goodness someone was working a little late!
So my buddy Chris pulls his car around and we're good to go, right? No. There was something...strange about his battery. Now I have no clue about cars, don't know anything about them. But I do know what a battery looks like and his did not look anything like it should. He was just as perplexed as I was. I know it's weird but I wasn't even sure if what he thought was his battery was in fact a battery - so I sent him on his way and continued my quest for assistance.
After finding a lovely gentleman to assist me, I was on the way home to put this day to rest. As I was driving I was thinking of the day as a whole and reflecting on the series of bad. Really sulking and licking my wounds. And it struck me how ironic it was that I had started the day off with such a different attitude.
This morning I had a scheduled phone meeting at 8:30. I get to work early, 7:45 at the latest - and that's including a quick stop for my Diet Pepsi fix. So when we were setting up the time I was going to schedule it for 8:00 - but I didn't, I said 8:30 instead. I had car trouble this morning and guess what? I rolled in at 8:20. So as I was driving to work all I could think was how good God was - even thought I had trouble that caused me to be late, He had arranged that I wouldn't miss this phone call. And I was thankful that He made provision for me.
Then I had a moment of clarity - He had done that for me throughout the whole day, continuously. I was just so absorbed in myself that it wasn't apparent. It was easy for me to give thanks and glory to God this morning because I could see, without looking too hard, the benefit to me. But even in the midst of strife He is working in my life. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." He is working in our lives always.
So I became thankful for today. Thankful that God was working to teach me grace and humility. Thankful that He was working to teach me patience. Thankful that He was working to teach me understanding. Thankful that He was working to teach me forgiveness. I was fighting it the whole time - yet, despite my resistance, He made provision for me.
So I am thankful, not just for the good days but for the bad days too because there is a lesson and purpose in each of them. Sometimes I just have to look a little harder to find it...
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A Long Way From Home
I had a fantastic day! I spent some of my day catching up with a dear friend. We had a lunch date but neither one of us ate - we were too engrossed in conversation to even think about food. And in addition to just spending some quality time together, I got a gift - a big bag of carmel popcorn! If you know me at all, you know my love for popcorn - I could eat it everyday. And during certain times in my life, I actually have. It was just awesome to me because nothing says I love you more than a thoughtful gift. And what could be more thoughtful than showing up with my favorite snack?
Then I got some good news about a project I've been working on for our regional conference. I'm serving as exhibitor chair. I was in that role last year too but I changed jobs at a critical time and wasn't able to devote as much attention to it as I would have liked. I ended up with 9, which is about average for our conference but I had intended to exceed that number.
So this year I decided 15 was my number. Don't ask me why I picked that number - I just decided I want at least 15. I looked through my old conference booklets and from what I can tell 12 was the most we've ever had so I'm definitely out to beat that. So I checked my numbers today and I have 10 registered now! In addition, I have one that has promised a registration, two strong maybe's and a conference call tomorrow with a representative that I think I can sale. I AM going to get my 15!
After work I tossed M2 in the stroller and we went for a walk. A really long walk. I'm not sure how long we walked but it was enough that I got a blister. From my flipflops. My flipflops! How does that happen?
M was in charge of our route and after we had gone a significant way she declared that she had to go to the bathroom. Immediately. It was an emergency Don't-Know-If-I-Can-Make-It situation. So we walked quickly (but not too quickly - it's hard to walk and hold it) back home for a bathroom break. Then we started all over again.
It was awesome, the weather was perfect and we took our time and just enjoyed being outside. Until about 4 blocks from home when I heard M start moaning. What's the matter? The bathroom, again? Oohhh, you need to use it that way. Ummm, can you make it to the house? (Like we had a choice!) This time we really did walk quickly, with M alternating between moans and telling me (loudly) that her poopoo really needed to come out.
The neighbors working in their yards really enjoyed that one. I really enjoyed making it to the house...
Then I got some good news about a project I've been working on for our regional conference. I'm serving as exhibitor chair. I was in that role last year too but I changed jobs at a critical time and wasn't able to devote as much attention to it as I would have liked. I ended up with 9, which is about average for our conference but I had intended to exceed that number.
So this year I decided 15 was my number. Don't ask me why I picked that number - I just decided I want at least 15. I looked through my old conference booklets and from what I can tell 12 was the most we've ever had so I'm definitely out to beat that. So I checked my numbers today and I have 10 registered now! In addition, I have one that has promised a registration, two strong maybe's and a conference call tomorrow with a representative that I think I can sale. I AM going to get my 15!
After work I tossed M2 in the stroller and we went for a walk. A really long walk. I'm not sure how long we walked but it was enough that I got a blister. From my flipflops. My flipflops! How does that happen?
M was in charge of our route and after we had gone a significant way she declared that she had to go to the bathroom. Immediately. It was an emergency Don't-Know-If-I-Can-Make-It situation. So we walked quickly (but not too quickly - it's hard to walk and hold it) back home for a bathroom break. Then we started all over again.
It was awesome, the weather was perfect and we took our time and just enjoyed being outside. Until about 4 blocks from home when I heard M start moaning. What's the matter? The bathroom, again? Oohhh, you need to use it that way. Ummm, can you make it to the house? (Like we had a choice!) This time we really did walk quickly, with M alternating between moans and telling me (loudly) that her poopoo really needed to come out.
The neighbors working in their yards really enjoyed that one. I really enjoyed making it to the house...
Lucky Girl
No walk for me yesterday. I forgot M had ballet class. I was loading them up in the car to head home when she reminded me. It’s a good thing one of us can stay on top of our schedule. Really, who needs a calendar when you have a kid? Just make sure they think it’s something fun and they won’t ever forget.
We made a mad dash home to make the transformation from grubby kid to prima ballerina and off we went to what should have been an uneventful and routine dance lesson. Unfortunately, M was in rare form and decided the very best way to spend this particular class was by making sure everyone was introduced to her pouts, sobs, and other dramatic hysteria. There wasn’t anything wrong but she got upset over everything – I took her water bottle out of her bag, her feet were hot, she didn’t like the order of the dance line, I was breathing… all of this was very upsetting to her.
She’s normally a very mellow kid so I’m chalking it up to the fact that she just had a rough day and needed to cry. Everyone is entitled to that once in a while…
Better get back to work - I’ve got to get some things wrapped up this morning because I have a very special lunch date with one of my favorites. It’s been too long and we have a lot of catching up to do. I’m so lucky to have such awesome people in my life.
Really, I have the most amazing friends.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
RLS
I'm in the mood to do something fun.
I've had a really productive day - I've been able make progress on my To Do List. Really, it feels great to get some of these things knocked out. But I'm ready to be outside doing something. I think I have Restless Life Syndrome...
I've had two weekends of road trips and I think that's done me in. Now I love road trips, really, I think they're fun and I enjoy getting uninterrupted time with people I care about. One of my favorite things is to hop in the car and go! There is always adventure and fun...
But the weather has been so nice and I need some outside time. Looks like I'll be going for a walk this evening...
We're having a girls weekend, which means Mommy is solo. So I'm going to seize the opportunity to have some fun with my girls. And keep them occupied enough so that they don't drive me crazy. Because some days it's just a contest - who can wear the other out first. And this time I plan to win. I'm going to pull out the secret weapon - a trip to the zoo! We'll skip naps, fill our bellies with concession stand food, and walk the entire day. They will be out before we even make it home...yep, definitely winning this weekend.
I've had a really productive day - I've been able make progress on my To Do List. Really, it feels great to get some of these things knocked out. But I'm ready to be outside doing something. I think I have Restless Life Syndrome...
I've had two weekends of road trips and I think that's done me in. Now I love road trips, really, I think they're fun and I enjoy getting uninterrupted time with people I care about. One of my favorite things is to hop in the car and go! There is always adventure and fun...
But the weather has been so nice and I need some outside time. Looks like I'll be going for a walk this evening...
We're having a girls weekend, which means Mommy is solo. So I'm going to seize the opportunity to have some fun with my girls. And keep them occupied enough so that they don't drive me crazy. Because some days it's just a contest - who can wear the other out first. And this time I plan to win. I'm going to pull out the secret weapon - a trip to the zoo! We'll skip naps, fill our bellies with concession stand food, and walk the entire day. They will be out before we even make it home...yep, definitely winning this weekend.
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