spring break!

Vacations. 

Got to love ‘em, but they take a LOT of work.

Just the planning - making sure the flights are booked, the ski lift tickets are purchased, any ski rental equipment (yes, for those once-a-year-skiers: we rent) is reserved - is a lot of work.

Then there’s the office. 

Once you know you’re going to be out/away for more than a day - then you basically need to ensure that your stuff is together, questions are answered, most “to do’s” taken care of, and (very important) the voicemail and “out of office” email messages are accurate (and not too braggy about the awesome vacation you’re about to go on). AND YES - no matter the great many times I check my iPhone for work emails, I’m sure I will return to the office with a very full email inbox to manage. So, in order to get away from the office - you really end up working a lot of the time beforehand, and after you return.

And then there’s the task of packing.

UGH. I don’t really know anyone who loves THIS particular aspect of a vacation. Editing the closet down to the bare minimum of what you need (and what’s appropriate for the trip) which usually brings upon a last minute dash to the mall for something uber important - but that you’ve somehow manage to live without before this incredible trip . . . . 

I’m generally awake VERY late before a trip out of town (for vacations), because, I’m too excited to sleep and (I’ll admit), I’m still finishing needed laundry for packing. 

This year, we were fortunate to go away with some very good friends. Had an absolute BLAST with them, which made all of the “work” of taking a vacation So Very Worth It. Just getting away from a very busy (dare I say hectic) lifestyle and reconnecting with our family and friends was a great reminder that although I really like my job (I mean, I REALLY like it!),  I work for my family and for the good times spent with friends. 

Travel is good for the soul - and so is taking a break every once in a while.

Going with the motto: work hard, play hard.

(I wonder what my kid’s work motto will be?)

new spring in my steps

Went shoe shopping today for new shoes.

It’s just starting to warm up (almost ready to put my boots away) and I’m looking for new shoes for spring. I’m not ready to jump into summer gear - nothing woven and I can’t even think about sandals yet.

As I’ve been reviewing the fall runway shows - the pointy toes on the shoes have been a style that I really prefer (over the rounded toe). And because I’m on my feet running around the building from meeting to meeting, I also like a comfortable heel (kitten). I LOVE them with a trouser pant!

We’ll see how these work out. Pointy toe, kitten heel, and slingbacks.

I’m just hoping for comfort, cute and no need for bandaids!

such a mystery

I know this is late, but we had a mystery at the office on Valentine’s Day. 

No clue where these little stickers came from, but everyone in three departments on the 1st floor had these sweet little, heart-shaped stickers greeting them when they arrived at work. 

Every sticker was different.  And adorable.

It was a really nice gesture. But who would be so kind?

We have no idea. It’s a mystery completely unsolved.

I mention it, because I’m just now letting it go. I tried to figure it out - asked many people about this and nobody knows who is responsible. 

Did I mention that I’m not really a mystery person? But this - well THIS is keeping us on our toes! This was fun!

Now, looking forward to March (& some spring weather)!!

happy happy

What to do for the team on Valentine’s Day?

I’ve worked in a great place where a very caring individual would get heart-shaped balloons blown up each Valentine’s Day for everyone (and it wasn’t that small of a team)! Each year, we would come in and look across the cube horizon to feel immediately special - thanks to Denise. And when she left our department, we tried to continue on in her footsteps with some sort of caring act, but I’ll always remember what she would do for this particular holiday. (On people’s birthdays, Denise would always bring in their favorite dessert - that she would make herself. Amazing!)

So, while I didn’t find huge, heart-shaped balloons (where DID she get those?), I did manage to bring in some yummy chocolates for everyone. 

I’m so curious to know if others celebrated at work - and if so, how?

BTW, I got home tonight with the kiddos and just as my husband had me convinced that we weren’t really making a big deal out of Valentine’s Day - he TOTALLY did! (Of course Brooke had to jump into that moment with her signature stamp of approval.) LOVE him!!

I am lucky to have worked with wonderful, caring people like Denise - and I’m lucky still to work with my current, very talent group. Lucky at work & in love at home.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

what a SLACKER!

So - I’ve been sick. 

I have a nasty cough and fever.

I’ve had to call in sick to work for two days in a row.

Very unproductive.

I couldn’t even do anything while being home sick because I felt too bad.

This Blows.

(Yes, I’ve done a lot of that, too.)

special treat

We’re SUPER busy.

Because winter has brought on several sick days, we’re in the weeds (we’re behind).

This calls for a moment of Starbucks. Delivered. To everyone.

It rarely happens, but when it’s REALLY needed - Starbucks to the rescue. 

I just hope that it helped the day go a little smoother and better.

Hey - I saw smiles and in a crunch week - that’s pretty special!

Just sayin’ . . . . 

give me "the usual"

Last week was a VERY busy week (hence the last of posts).

Every night last week (Tuesday - Friday), I had evening plans. Each night I would go straight from the office to the church and I wouldn’t get home until late (SUPER late on Friday night). Needless to say, I was whipped. It was a great experience and I really had a ton of fun, and even better - the family totally supported me through the week. No guilt trips!! It was awesome to do something different.

BUT, to add more fun (and honestly stress) to the week - we also had my son’s 10th birthday party on Saturday. So - this added some conversations about the Very Important Cake and a “festive” discussion about why we waited so late to order his gifts. Good times.

By Sunday, I was even a little more whipped.

So, this week I’m VERY excited to have a more “normal” week at home. Of course, we’ll have our usual challenges (winter colds, daughter has a stomach thing, etc), but nothing that isn’t just a part of the daily routine. Having “too much going on” makes me really appreciate the usual pace of life.

Ultimately I would do it again and then I would be ready to jump back into regular life (always). Fast IS fun and slow is GOOD.