Headfirst into the unknown

For the last couple of weeks, I feel like I have been diving headfirst into the unknown. The cool thing is that each time, I find my way back to the top for air. I feel like I am being stretched and challenged and it's a really good thing. I like to grow in my skills and experiences, staying in the same place can be boring and predictable. I have never been so busy in my life but I never knew one could be so happy and exhausted at the same time. It's the beginning of a very good chapter of my life.

Something hilarious just happened. Well, maybe it's not that funny but everything is more amusing after a glass of wine. I was sitting here typing with the Tivo paused(trying to build a delay for my fav shows). The tv started playing again and instead of getting up to get the remote (the laptop is on my lap) I yelled "Help!" Nate came running in here like the house was on fire. He was a little annoyed that instead of actually needing help I was sitting lazily on the couch laughing hysterically. I guess you had to be here. Good times ...

It's a miracle

Sometimes it takes very little to make my day. Today the postage machine guy came and unjammed the folding machine (I had really jammed it up good!) and made the envelope printer work again. This may seem trivial but when you have a newsletter that needs to be sent to a few hundred volunteers, having machines that do all of the work is very important. When the first envelope came out of the machine I said "It's a miracle!" which the repair guy thought was pretty funny. Hey, it was a miracle to me!

I have had several small victories in the past couple of days which include getting one of my big projects almost finished. Ordinarily that would be a big victory but when you have 3 big projects that are overdue when you start, getting one thing moving feels like at least a dent in the mountain.

On another subject, I feel like I have literally climbed a mountain. I did too many lunges in the gym this morning. It didn't hurt at the time but as soon as I went to walk out I felt like I was going to fall down. My legs have had a weird rubbery feeling all day. I am scared to think about what they will feel like in the morning. Ouch!!

One more thing

I thought I had nothing to talk about except work but once I started typing I have found plenty to say! On Saturday night we got invited to have dinner with friends. They were having a few people out to their parents winter home on Casey Key (about 20 miles south). What a fabulous house!! (Melissa - you would have really appreciated it) It is a very modern, Carl Abbott designed house. The best part was that every room overlooks the Gulf and there was this walkway to a deck (actually the rooftop of the guest house where we sat and watched the sunset. It was a nice way to spend a Saturday night. I found some pictures of the house from when it was for sale a few years ago here.

I'm still alive ... just buried under a lot of work!

Well, I went from blogging every day to blogging once a month. I have no idea where the last 3 weeks went. Well, actually I take that back. I have been working, that's where they went! I get up at 5:30, go to the gym, then to work, I work late every day and then it seems like I always have another obligation in the evening so I don't get home until 9ish. Combine that with extreme brain burnout and there's nothing left for blogs. It sounds much worse than it is. Although I have hardly had time to get anything outside of work done (I need to get my hair cut sooo bad!), I love my new job. I don't mind working a lot because it's a really great place and I like what I'm doing. I keep thinking it will ease up one of these days but realistically it will be at least a month and by then I will be managing the holiday program. Don't even ask - it scares me to even think about that. But again, let me say that I love it so I'm a happy workaholic!

I have been taking tennis lessons twice a week and it's fun but it's a little much because I work up until the moment I need to leave, literally. I changed in my car last week on the way (no worries, I was not indecent). Tennis may be the one sport I will be good at, if I keep practicing.

Last week between work and tennis I went to this fabulous little skincare boutique downtown and bought what have become my new favorite products. The line is called Mario Badescu and it is wonderful! Natural ingredients and very affordable which is unusual for a spa quality line. Compare $12 a bottle for cleanser with the $39 bottle of Dermalogica shower gel they tried to sell me last time I had a facial. That is some seriously expensive shower gel. Anyway, I love new new stuff. Strawberry skin scrubs & masks, orange peel cleanser, grapefruit toner ... it's like a produce department for your face.

I think I am taking my stress out by shopping because the other place that has caused me trouble in the last 3 weeks is Ann Taylor Loft. The first round was innocent enough but then they gave me these savings certificates so I had to go back. (I did buy a suit which is practical because I really needed it) Yikes! I can really justify just about anything in there.

M.I.A.

I have been missing in action this week and I am exhausted! I started my new job and although it's great, it's a little overwhelming at the moment. I feel like I am sitting at the bottom of an avalanche. Don't get me wrong, I know it's the right place for me to be and in a few weeks hopefully I'll have a routine down. For now though, my head is about to explode! You know the communications plan that I was so proud of last week? Well, it's a good start but it needs to be about 50 pages longer. The good thing is that even though I feel like I'm in overload, apparently everyone else thinks I'm doing a great job. I have no idea how that's happening but thank God!

I have hardly talked to my friends or even my mom this week and nothing on my personal "to do" list has gotten done. It's Saturday and last night I had a plan to wake up, clean the house and then tackle my list at a leisurely pace. Now that I'm up - I'm having a hard time getting moving. My shoulders are so tense that they actually ache but I don't even know if I feel like going to get a massage. I know that sounds crazy but it's true. So, now that you've read this you probably think I'm on the verge of meltdown but have no fear, it's all good. I just felt the need to explain why I have not called, emailed or seen anyone this week. I'll be back in full force, hopefully next week but we'll see ...

Life List

During the long car ride home this afternoon I went through some of the documents in the “goals” folder on my laptop. I really believe that putting goals in writing puts power behind them. Of course goals shift as life changes and different things take priority but I’m happy to say that looking at these lists made me feel good because I’ve made a lot of progress!

In looking at my lists I also reread my “Life List.” It’s a (very long) list of things I’d like to do in my lifetime. It includes a lot of variety; remembering birthdays, being a better listener, zip-lining in a rainforest, buying a pair of Manolo Blahniks, seeing the best in other people and about 65 other things. I keep adding as I cross things off – it keeps life exciting and makes me feel like there’s always a new experience to be had. Here are some interesting links on life lists; LifeTango, JohnGoddard, LiveJournal.

After looking at all of this I have added one big thing to my list. I am going to try to start taking pictures again. I took a photography class in college it was really a wonderful experience. During that time I took some really good pictures and my extremely talented aunt (who’s a photographer) gave me a camera and encouraged me to develop my talent. Sadly, it was just before the digital boom and I have used it very little. I feel like having a digital would make experimentation much easier and more fun. (Sorry to all of those old-school photographers out there) I’ve decided sometime this year I’m going to buy a nice digital and take up the hobby again. I know I will really enjoy it and find it relaxing and fun so I can’t wait!

Family Time

I have had the best weekend. I spent it at my parent’s house relaxing, eating (yikes!) and spending time with the people I love most in this world. My parents live on 40 acres overlooking a small lake, lots of oak trees and horses. It’s so peaceful there that you can’t help but feel relaxed. Being home with everyone was a lot of fun. It’s been a great way to get geared up for the week ahead. I can’t say I’m not nervous about Tuesday but that’s what keeps life interesting!