Expensive hobbies, Nesting and Back on Program

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I can’t say my hobby is making jewelry as I have only made a necklace, but I have bought a bunch of beads. I had no idea how expensive they are! Yikes. Sure the small ones are well priced, but I want the pretty bigger ones, right? Of course! My first necklace is for my mom who didn’t seem that excited on getting a homemade necklace. I’m sure she thought she’d outgrown those years! I think she’ll like it though!

I am totally nesting right now. Five white garbage bags of clothes left our house yesterday and I’m not quite done. I mean, really – I don’t EVER wear suits to work now and I’d look a little even more out of place if I did. I wear nice work dresses and those seem a bit formal for City Hall. Hence, I’ll be checking out the Dressing for Success group because they are so nice and pretty – someone should put them to good use.

I also have a label maker on the way as we have found that we are quite disorganized at home right now. I’m also tackling the garage and kitchen cabinets. My mom reminded me of the whole registry thing – OMG! I’m a bit apprehensive on going in the rabbit hole. We don’t have a big house so new stuff means old stuff must go. That makes me a little sad.

I am on my second day back on Program – follow me on Tumblr at TheAVElife if you’d like to see my eating habits! As I prepare for the upcoming nuptials – a few days and six months – I’d like to slim down and tone up. Now that I have more time on my hands, I have time to decompress from work stuff and get physical exercise. I sure walked the crap out of Syd yesterday in a 38-minute stroll around the neighborhood. Actually, she pulled me most of the time, so I guess I was the one who got the crap walked out on. Felt good and gave me enough activity points to have a creamy black cherry greek yogurt, YUM!

Ciao ciao friends,
A

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Tides are turning and I’m feeling content

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I’m feeling the tides turn. Perhaps because we just put to bed the Relay For Life event in our community that I put in tons of time into making it a success. Perhaps because I took a leave of absence from a civic group. Not sure which exactly. Or maybe it is from being excited about planning my upcoming nuptials to the love of my life. Maybe the three-ring circus of a home with a cat and dog who don’t like each other isn’t as chaotic as it had been has had an effect on me.

I’m sure it is one of these things, right?

With the ending or “taking a break from,” I’ve decided to stop putting off something I wanted to try – jewelry making. I like creative stuff and have not really had time to enjoy those things that are not related to work or nonprofit volunteering. I’ll still volunteer time for Adult Literacy League and Relay For Life but more with specific timing. As one friend was explaining her overloaded time: the only time I have left is Thursday at 8:30 pm for an hour so if it can be done then, great. If not, I am already booked. I totally feel that way!

I’ve been told I can use the excuse that I am planning a wedding and that it will take up all my time. Not a bad excuse, but still an excuse. At this point, I want to do things that I want to do and that will be my answer. Enjoy time with my fiancé and animals, take in fresh air on my bike or walks and make stuff.

So there, you have it. My future. No goals, no objectives or life mission. Just some feel good stuff that balance out with my job to make me a happier person.

Here’s to that elusive balance – Cheers!

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The Unthinkable = Wedding Proposal. Nice, right?

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Yeah, that is how my fiancé’s friends view his proposal and subsequent engagement. Please know that this is a total tongue and cheek thing. I was having doubts if it’d happen to me until this guy rolled up on me one fine afternoon!

Nevertheless, the show must go on! And I say show because that seems to be a great way to describe the chaotic nature of planning a wedding. Never did it before and please, please let this be the last one.

Not sure my heart could take the roller coaster of emotions from the ring receiving, champagne-popping (Thanks Steph, it was wonderful), schlepping to venues and dress boutiques, guest-listing and finally…budgeting. Might I add I that as I typed finally, I typed faint by accident or Freudian slip because I think I may faint with all this stress!

So, I’ll stay short and sweet. Okay, must now think of something sweet since that last paragraph came off…well, not so sweet. Sweet = my man whom I adore and can’t wait to be his wife. Love my man with all my heart and am so happy to have his unconditional love especially when he knows I will go bonkers a number of times before we get married.

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Manifesto, what does that mean again and what will mine be?

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Once I heard the Beebs had his own manifesto – no matter how nutty it may be, I started thinking. What would a great manifesto contain? What makes it great? So based on my little amount of free time already, I decided I was going to research the idea of a manifesto and also write my own. Well, then I read what a manifesto is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifesto and thought, eh, not interested.

Yes, I am already changing the topic of this post. After reading the definition, I did like the idea of “life stance” that was listed on the page so I looked into that. It was quite the rabbit hole so I pulled back to think about why I am researching this in the first place.

This is what I came up with: As things change in my life – ahem, the beautiful ring now on my left hand – I want to make sure that those significant and high priority things in my life get the appropriate time and energy. I am a planner for goodness sakes, to the chagrin of my fiancé of course.

Back to the research, after I found myself reading about Descartes theories, I thought, why not simplify and get into a personal statement. Wikipedia took my “Personal statement” query and took me to Mission statement. Okay, sure Wikipedia, if you think that is helpful. It wasn’t – another rabbit hole. It was at this point that I started to rethink the whole using Wikipedia to help with this research.

I like Merriam-Webster’s definition of manifesto better so we are back at original topic. Short and to the point. Definition of manifesto is “a written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.” I think I am on the right path.

Intentions, motives and views…I can work with that. I saw that one comment on the webpage mentioned breaking it down into how he wanted to treat his family, friends, business contacts, etc. Okay, I think I am now good with this.

What will mine be? Glad you asked, I am asking myself presently. Stay tuned…

Adios,

A

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Gratitude Journal and Drama

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I have been trying to find that serenity that has been alluding me a lot of the time, to be honest! I have been doing better and enjoying the Gratitude App on my iPad, making me stop to think who and what bring me joy and happiness to my life. I recommend – as Oprah does – doing a gratitude journal. It isn’t an instant happiness maker, but it does get you on the road.

I know having been away from the gym for many months that my body has been unhappy for the most part. It is tough getting your mind and spirit in a serene place while your body is, well, off. Just getting back on the treadmill last night makes me feel good. Perhaps the sense of accomplishment? Maybe knowing I am helping myself feel good? Not sure, but I am in the beginning of creating a habit so that’s cool to me.

Having dealt with some drama and uncertainty in my life recently has made me self-reflective. It is funny how some of it can be dealt with honest and works itself out. Unfortunately, not all is that easy. Honest actually creates a problem and more uncertainty. That is where I have to step back and wonder “Is this it?” I’ll have to get back to you on how things turn out because frankly, I don’t know. What I do know is that I consider myself a decent human being and as they say, life goes on.

Adios,
A

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I am a planner and proud of it?

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I say that with a little reticence. Is that bad? I really do want to be proud of that fact – perhaps that is where the truth lies. I am not spontaneous. I like things planned out.

Luckily, most of my friends are too. My job requires it. I know what art will be up in December 2013, what dates my publications hit mailboxes both the monthly and quarterly, what large events are happening in the area, etc. If I don’t know, chaos ensues.

Why did I say “proud” if I am not totally proud? Good question, glad you asked. I am a planner, it is who I am, how I think and where I find comfort. To not be proud would be to not be proud of who I am. That doesn’t sound good if I’m not proud of me, right?

When I look at my week coming up, I want to know what is going on each day. Having a multi-layered calendar of my personal stuff, night meetings for work, Facebook stuff and then my gym classes that I am going to get to at some point can make a girl a little bonkers but at least I have options and don’t fall behind on the goings-on in my community.

How do you keep up with things? I had a friend who simply used post-it notes. OMG! I’d be up a creek if I had to resort to that. Yikes!

For now, I will continue planning and keep trying to be proud of who I am as well as know what I should look for and what I know I won’t get to any way the week goes anyway.

The pic is from my puppy dog Syd – who is ten – during one of those fun, no activity scheduled Saturdays.

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Cheerio!
A

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Best of Intentions…Really!

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This was supposed to be the week: the week that I get back into the gym regularly. Not so much. It is funny how life gets in front of my intentions. Home life with a sick dog takes over and keeping her okay has taken up a few evenings this week.

Yes, I know. If it was really a priority, I would have gotten there. But guess what, family comes first.

Here is the dog in question. How could you say no to that face?

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Started back in WW on Monday night, which motivated me to take sweet face on a walk last night. Incidentally, she did fine on the walk, but I still found her having disposed her colon again this morning. Love motherhood!

So I am on Day 2 of the Program and feeling good. I have to admit I really like being able to check my tracker on my phone and ipad. Those apps definitely keep me motivated and interested in the process. I’d like to give myself rewards but at this point, money is tight with the additional payroll tax and I’m waiting to see how everything plays out with bills. That sure makes it a little difficult to have a fun reward.

How do you reward yourself for a job well done?

Well, on with the day…enjoy yourself and have a great Wednesday!

¡Salud!,
A

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It is nice to feel needed, right?

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I don’t proclaim to have unique skills or talents like Wonder Woman or SheRa. Never did, never will. But, what I do is have interests in some things that I wouldn’t mind researching for hours and coming up with strategies or campaigns.

A dear friend of mine called my work line for some help (work related) and in the course of the call I learned about their needs with the nonprofit and suddenly my fundraising interest was piqued. As you know, I won’t be taking a class this semester so it looks like I have something to help me keep busy. Because clearly I need more to do, right?

It is funny how somethings just click in you. It could be a hobby that you lose hours being “in the zone” for – reading can do that to me. I love sitting down and reading a book all day! I can lose hours watching horrible tv shows but I’m getting more specific on what I watch – thank you Hulu!

I was a fundraiser professionally for one year and it was very tough. Luckily, I truly believed in the mission so I lived through it. My Master’s is in Public Administration – Nonprofit Management. I think fundraising is great when it isn’t your entire life – I really need other activities to keep my sanity!

What is your hobby? Or hour-losing activity?

I am still going to stay objective and not join the group at this point so I can keep focused on the fundraising strategies and create a campaign. I hope I do, hold me to that, please!

Cling cling,
A

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Change in direction – Ahh, now that feels better!

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Last week the anxiety of taking the Managerial Accounting class got to me. After some sound counsel (Thanks Becky!), I have decided to take the semester off and focus on those things I enjoy doing. I am signed up at a new gym in town and am looking forward to spending some quality time there and Relay For Life of Winter Garden has started its meetings up already.

As much as I looked forward to the educational aspect of the classes I have taken, I was just not feeling it – as they say. I also want to devote more time to my blog and social media as well as find my creative side, which has been lost for a while. Perhaps I’ll re-incite my ceramic skills? Or, maybe I’ll get my crafting groove back on?

I know that it isn’t always great to change directions, but you get one life and multiple shots at different things for a reason. As my mom said, it is never too late to change your mind and start something new. Am I disappointed that I didn’t take the class now? A little, but I can take a class in the summer and get back to the MBA degree or I can take a class in a different subject. I like knowing that I’m in charge and one thing about me… I don’t want to regret as I look back on my life.

Did you change course and live to tell the tale? Were you glad you did or did it make you decide to go back?

Because of that, I know I’m going in the right direction – whichever one I want.

Cheers to that!

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New Year…Resolutions…I’m over it!

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I am a bit over the whole resolution thing. Not because I thought I wouldn’t break it – I know I will – but because it points me in the right direction. This whole resolute thing is a bit difficult and hard on my psyche. Perhaps we should make guiding principles for the year? Yeah, I’m going to go with that.

Do you feel the same? Have you decide more on guiding principles than feeling bad when your resolution goes south?

Next week I start my next MBA class at UCF – Managerial Accounting. Going to be tough, we are certainly not in my comfortable skill set so bear with me. My first Master’s degree, Public Administration, definitely was a comfort zone so I guess I need the swift kick to grow professionally and intellectually. Remind me that when I’m complaining about how hard it is later – I know I will be!

Well, still Happy New Year to you and your family as we begin 2013. Hmmm, ’13 sort of feels a little superstitious to me…wonder how this year will go. I’m hoping for a lucky year, I’m sure you are too.

Cheers,
A

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