Airline fares are actually more fickle than me.
I'm an airfare junkie. Where can I go? How cheaply can I get there? Can I get there cheaper? Seriously. Is there an addiction group out there for airfare junkies? I seriously check airfares on a daily basis.
Only lately, I haven't checked them at all. Money has been tight. I need to ignore my addiction. I can still belong to the club. Still drink wine. Just not allowed to look at airfare sights. Who knew? Who knew that THIS would be my addiction.
Is it sorta gambling? Risk taking? Without having to actually take a risk? Goes to me having commitment issues. I'm not spending any money. It's not illegal. In fact, it's not even immoral. It's just a habit.
Every morning, I check fares. It does play to my favor. I went to Dallas in October - $109 round-trip. Seriously.
Airfares to Kona? Today, they went up. The first time we went - I paid $600 for me. $450 for the boys. I thought that was an AWESOME deal.
Today? $900. Last summer? $1200. I used miles last summer. Next summer? $900. Our flight home last summer was empty. Economics. I guess once you make the bottom line, it actually costs you more to take more people.
My thoughts: The first summer: Everything was supposed to happen. And, it did. So much went into getting us all to the same place at the same time. I SO believe this. It was SO darn cheap (relatively)
As the boys said to me "Mom, you do realize this story has nothing to do with anything but us meeting Lily, don't you? That's what this story is really about". (meaning the boys and Lily. Not me)
Okay, if you say so. Now, we have to play the airfare games. One airfare at a time. Getting us to the place we need to be.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Accountability
I have an accountability partner.
We are both self-employed. Originally, we met once a week. There is a spreadsheet with what we need to accomplish by our next meeting. For over 3 years, we met once a week. Yes, we would cancel. Yes, we postpone. Then of course, I went to Hawaii for a month.
How hard is being accountable? Actually, harder than you would think.
It does not matter to anyone if I close a deal or not. It only really matter because I have to pay my bills. Believe it or not, that's just not enough motivation. It is work. It is a job. I have to do it.
Our spreadsheet has personal goals and work goals. We review what we did. What we are going to do before the next meeting. You are allowed to move something to the following week. Or even set the goal stating something will be accomplished in a month. Only you can only move it once. If you want to move it again, there is a reason you aren't doing it. What can we change about it?
I make lists for myself all the time. They don't always get done. It doesn't matter. When I have someone to report back to, I get it done. Or we figure out why we don't get it done.
Upon returning from Hawaii this year, we never started back up. We both took breaks. We've both just been working. Surviving not thriving. Our meetings help us thrive.
Plus, I miss Michele. We were both much more productive when we meet.
We meet again starting this Wednesday. The first time we met to start our "Accountability Meetings", well, the goal was to to get there. Step One.
This time we know we can get there. We have to come with a starting point for 2013. Our goals for the year. It's up to each of us to help the other achieve those goals.
I better get busy - I don't have my list ready. Hard to accomplish something if you don't know what it is.
PS. - I read a blog and I love what she wrote about 2012+1...... the year of The Library Although, I'll spend it in the library in Kona.
We are both self-employed. Originally, we met once a week. There is a spreadsheet with what we need to accomplish by our next meeting. For over 3 years, we met once a week. Yes, we would cancel. Yes, we postpone. Then of course, I went to Hawaii for a month.
How hard is being accountable? Actually, harder than you would think.
It does not matter to anyone if I close a deal or not. It only really matter because I have to pay my bills. Believe it or not, that's just not enough motivation. It is work. It is a job. I have to do it.
Our spreadsheet has personal goals and work goals. We review what we did. What we are going to do before the next meeting. You are allowed to move something to the following week. Or even set the goal stating something will be accomplished in a month. Only you can only move it once. If you want to move it again, there is a reason you aren't doing it. What can we change about it?
I make lists for myself all the time. They don't always get done. It doesn't matter. When I have someone to report back to, I get it done. Or we figure out why we don't get it done.
Upon returning from Hawaii this year, we never started back up. We both took breaks. We've both just been working. Surviving not thriving. Our meetings help us thrive.
Plus, I miss Michele. We were both much more productive when we meet.
We meet again starting this Wednesday. The first time we met to start our "Accountability Meetings", well, the goal was to to get there. Step One.
This time we know we can get there. We have to come with a starting point for 2013. Our goals for the year. It's up to each of us to help the other achieve those goals.
I better get busy - I don't have my list ready. Hard to accomplish something if you don't know what it is.
PS. - I read a blog and I love what she wrote about 2012+1...... the year of The Library Although, I'll spend it in the library in Kona.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Warning: Changes ahead
Going to generalize here for a second: no one likes unexpected changes. It turns us upside down. Everyone. You included. Yes, we can think something is great, if I change. Just you, please don't change, it turns the rest of us upside down.
Now, I don't really expect us all to live worrying about others lives. Just expect if someone else changes, you have no control of it. Damn it.
Okay, so I'm going to change the format of this blog. There will be search capability. There will be tags (which means I might show up in search engines). Also, there will be some advertising.
I'm going to tackle this writing thing. I'm ready. I can't wait. It's scary. I'm scared. I'm not ready for comments. Praise? Yes. The critics? I'm going to try......
Help me through this next phase. Just hang on. As usual, it's going to be worth the ride. It always is......
Now, I don't really expect us all to live worrying about others lives. Just expect if someone else changes, you have no control of it. Damn it.
Okay, so I'm going to change the format of this blog. There will be search capability. There will be tags (which means I might show up in search engines). Also, there will be some advertising.
I'm going to tackle this writing thing. I'm ready. I can't wait. It's scary. I'm scared. I'm not ready for comments. Praise? Yes. The critics? I'm going to try......
Help me through this next phase. Just hang on. As usual, it's going to be worth the ride. It always is......
Monday, January 7, 2013
In Deux Time
All in Deux Time. The theme for the year.
I can never go into the year thinking "I need to accomplish....... (fill in the blank)" I have to set goals. As mentioned last year, I put something out there, then some how, I end up right where I'm supposed to be. (Of course, we all do).
I'll recap my year, next time, maybe. I'm better looking forward than back.
This year's theme came along on Saturday. In due time. I was having trouble with the word "due". While I'm great with deadlines, if I "have" to do something, not very good. In fact, I usually go the other way. I DON'T. Or my luck, I would end up with a "Due Date". Not in the library book kind of way. No, "due" is not it.
In Due Time?
In Do Time?
In Dew Time?
For some reason the time theme keeps reappearing (pretty funny saying we don't have clocks around here).
We could go with the "do time". As in, "What am I going to DO this year?" I like that. I can start a list. I'm good at crossing things off the list. Or making lists just to look back at how ridiculous I was being.
Dew Time? Mornings? NOOOO. Used to be a morning person. Like life much better without seeing the "dew".
Deux Time. Double time? Time for two?
I set out in 2012 with the 12 theme, but really it was all about "tri...ing". I tried. I met more than 12 fascinating people and had over 12 moments in life. However, that's not what I meant. Is it ever?
So, this year: "All in Deux Time". Truly, I wrote that. My next thought: "Lord help us all".
Can't imagine what we will "deux" this year........
I can never go into the year thinking "I need to accomplish....... (fill in the blank)" I have to set goals. As mentioned last year, I put something out there, then some how, I end up right where I'm supposed to be. (Of course, we all do).
I'll recap my year, next time, maybe. I'm better looking forward than back.
This year's theme came along on Saturday. In due time. I was having trouble with the word "due". While I'm great with deadlines, if I "have" to do something, not very good. In fact, I usually go the other way. I DON'T. Or my luck, I would end up with a "Due Date". Not in the library book kind of way. No, "due" is not it.
In Due Time?
In Do Time?
In Dew Time?
For some reason the time theme keeps reappearing (pretty funny saying we don't have clocks around here).
We could go with the "do time". As in, "What am I going to DO this year?" I like that. I can start a list. I'm good at crossing things off the list. Or making lists just to look back at how ridiculous I was being.
Dew Time? Mornings? NOOOO. Used to be a morning person. Like life much better without seeing the "dew".
Deux Time. Double time? Time for two?
I set out in 2012 with the 12 theme, but really it was all about "tri...ing". I tried. I met more than 12 fascinating people and had over 12 moments in life. However, that's not what I meant. Is it ever?
So, this year: "All in Deux Time". Truly, I wrote that. My next thought: "Lord help us all".
Can't imagine what we will "deux" this year........
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Ghost in our house
We have a ghost in our house. We think it's a friendly ghost.
This ghost doesn't like clocks. Okay, we don't really like clocks either. That's how we know it's a friendly ghost. The clock in Nolan's room won't stay set. Could be the clock. Could be an electrical problem. We like to blame our ghost.
My laptop will re-boot itself every once in a while. I realize this is normal. It updates itself. Only when my computer updates itself, when it re-starts it plays Bob Marley. And only Bob Marley. Yes, I listen to Pandora, but I shut that down every night. Bob Marley starts playing around 3am. Just when the computer re-boots - not every night.
Our ghost doesn't want to live on a schedule either. The BATTERY OPERATED cube (clock/radio) we have in the kitchen. It's only a couple months old - it stops charging iPhones - it works fine on the devices that only play music.
Can't blame our ghost. We are like our ghost. No wonder it found us.
Of course, the boys tell me the ghost is responsible for the clothes on the floor in their rooms. The unmade beds too. Hmmm..... Not sure I'm believing them.
This ghost doesn't like clocks. Okay, we don't really like clocks either. That's how we know it's a friendly ghost. The clock in Nolan's room won't stay set. Could be the clock. Could be an electrical problem. We like to blame our ghost.
My laptop will re-boot itself every once in a while. I realize this is normal. It updates itself. Only when my computer updates itself, when it re-starts it plays Bob Marley. And only Bob Marley. Yes, I listen to Pandora, but I shut that down every night. Bob Marley starts playing around 3am. Just when the computer re-boots - not every night.
Our ghost doesn't want to live on a schedule either. The BATTERY OPERATED cube (clock/radio) we have in the kitchen. It's only a couple months old - it stops charging iPhones - it works fine on the devices that only play music.
Can't blame our ghost. We are like our ghost. No wonder it found us.
Of course, the boys tell me the ghost is responsible for the clothes on the floor in their rooms. The unmade beds too. Hmmm..... Not sure I'm believing them.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The bad boy
I've written some about my part-time job.
I'm learning a lot. I'm re-learning the mistakes I made when I owned my own company. What to do. What not to do. Inventory and employees are huge components of any company. I'm NOT a good manager.
Suddenly, I'm running this company. Oh, and I don't like this. He doesn't plan. He says we can do anything. We are going to sell this company. Blah, Blah, Blah.
When I made up my mind to get a part-time job - I was interviewing all over the place. That's not true. I had several phone screens. Three face-to-face interviews, two job offers.
Company #1: There were 7 people, the Owner and the Director of Sales had worked together for 17 or so years. The Owner had gone out on his own about 10 years ago. She went two years later. Casual office out in the industrial area of town.
Company#2" Start-up. Owner is in the USA on an "investment VISA". Everyone has been working together for about a year. Over $1 million in sales since January. Cherry Creek office. (close to home) Casual trendy environment.
Company not even considered: A Market Research company. Hiring technical people. (If you truly get the irony of this company, you know me).
Well, really, only one job offer. The first place was e-mailed. I let them know I had accepted another position. I was REALLY excited about that opportunity. I didn't let the first give me an offer. They got delayed. They wanted me back for a second interview, but the second place gave me an offer first. I jumped. I took the offer immediately.
Something is wrong with me.
I was SO excited about my part-time job in the industrial environment. That's the whole point of a part-time job. I have recruiting. It's faithful. It's loyal. I'm loyal. This part-time job was supposed to get me out of the house. A distraction
Then, well, the bad boy came along. Stock-options. Manufacturing (I get that). An idea. Also an entrepreneaur willing to take a risk. Never mind you that the other guy also took a risk. That was ten years ago or so. Heaven forbid it's actually up and running.
I WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.
Where did that girl appear from? She was alive for years. She did it all. She's supposed to be gone.
I work - but work doesn't define my life. My kids. My summers in Hawaii define my life. Not some job. That girl left us long time ago.
Friday we had a crazy day. Insane. Packing, shipping, manufacturing. I'm running to the road to meet the trucking company to pull off something that could make or break this company.
Yes, I nicely asked them to come back the next day.
Do I really need this drama in my life???? Really?
No, I don't need this. I do want drama in my life. It always arrives in some shape or form: my boys, guys I like or work. Right now, two are settled down. Two out of three ain't bad....
I'm learning a lot. I'm re-learning the mistakes I made when I owned my own company. What to do. What not to do. Inventory and employees are huge components of any company. I'm NOT a good manager.
Suddenly, I'm running this company. Oh, and I don't like this. He doesn't plan. He says we can do anything. We are going to sell this company. Blah, Blah, Blah.
When I made up my mind to get a part-time job - I was interviewing all over the place. That's not true. I had several phone screens. Three face-to-face interviews, two job offers.
Company #1: There were 7 people, the Owner and the Director of Sales had worked together for 17 or so years. The Owner had gone out on his own about 10 years ago. She went two years later. Casual office out in the industrial area of town.
Company#2" Start-up. Owner is in the USA on an "investment VISA". Everyone has been working together for about a year. Over $1 million in sales since January. Cherry Creek office. (close to home) Casual trendy environment.
Company not even considered: A Market Research company. Hiring technical people. (If you truly get the irony of this company, you know me).
Well, really, only one job offer. The first place was e-mailed. I let them know I had accepted another position. I was REALLY excited about that opportunity. I didn't let the first give me an offer. They got delayed. They wanted me back for a second interview, but the second place gave me an offer first. I jumped. I took the offer immediately.
Something is wrong with me.
I was SO excited about my part-time job in the industrial environment. That's the whole point of a part-time job. I have recruiting. It's faithful. It's loyal. I'm loyal. This part-time job was supposed to get me out of the house. A distraction
Then, well, the bad boy came along. Stock-options. Manufacturing (I get that). An idea. Also an entrepreneaur willing to take a risk. Never mind you that the other guy also took a risk. That was ten years ago or so. Heaven forbid it's actually up and running.
I WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.
Where did that girl appear from? She was alive for years. She did it all. She's supposed to be gone.
I work - but work doesn't define my life. My kids. My summers in Hawaii define my life. Not some job. That girl left us long time ago.
Friday we had a crazy day. Insane. Packing, shipping, manufacturing. I'm running to the road to meet the trucking company to pull off something that could make or break this company.
Yes, I nicely asked them to come back the next day.
Do I really need this drama in my life???? Really?
No, I don't need this. I do want drama in my life. It always arrives in some shape or form: my boys, guys I like or work. Right now, two are settled down. Two out of three ain't bad....
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Open me
I was at Target today. The Target by the club where I work out. I don't really like to go to this particular Target. It's nice, but the parking lot is always crowded - no matter when you go. I do end up at this Target quite a bit because it is convenient. I just try to go to other ones.
Today, though, I'm glad I went to this one.
The boys former hockey coach is in town and what started as "hey, coaches, come over for lasagna" has turned into 18 people coming over for lasagna. Which is fine. In fact, it's more than fine. I love it when this happens. The more the merrier. I'm going to need to make a couple of lasagnas. More stuff needed.
This is a Super Target. Groceries, Alcohol, Household goods, etc, you know the drill. I also needed some stocking stuffers. Then I'm done.
I've done all the grocery shopping. The stocking stuffers are in the basket and I'm headed to the check out. I stop at the little section at the front of the store (the $1.00 area) to see if I need a couple of more things. On the opposite side of where I entered the store. This is the section designed for you to stop at on your way in. Oh well.
I'm looking through the bins. And in one, is a light green envelope marked "Happy Holidays" (Open Me) both hand-written in red ink. I pick it up. I turn it over. It's sealed. I look around. Puzzled. Hmm? I wonder what this is? It doesn't match anything in the bin and it was facing out. I open it. Thinking, well, if I wasn't supposed to open it, I'll pay for it if I made a mistake. It's a note card. Opening the card, printed is "Season's Greetings with all good wishes for the New Year". Hand-written below in the same red ink: "In honor of Charlotte Bacon". There was a $10 gift card inside.
Smile. First thought "How sweet. What a nice thing for someone to do in memory of someone." Maybe I'll go buy me a little something extra. Just for me. Thank you.
Oh wait, there is a typed folded over slip in here too. "In honor of the lives of the 26 children and adults that were just taken from us in Connecticut, I offer you this random act of kindness in hopes of bringing a smile to your face this Holiday season."
It didn't bring a smile. I started crying. There ARE good people in this world. We think sometimes there is more evil, than good. BUT, we are wrong. Good will always win. Then, I smiled.
On the back, the cards were produced by the "Child Welfare League of America" Whomever our random act of kindness person is/was, really went out of the way - not only to purchase cards contributing to children (I haven't looked up what the organization is about), but then purchased the gift cards. Then randomly placed them.
Thank you random person in Glendale, Colorado for taking the time from your hectic life to spread good and happy thoughts. I looked around to see if anyone was watching a grown woman cry in the middle of the aisle, but if you were there, you didn't let me know it.
I don't know if there were more throughout the store. I don't know if you spent a total of $260 honoring each and every victim or $10 honoring Charlotte Bacon. Either way, it's all good. There ARE angels among us.
Thank you for showing this little piece of the world, there is still good. Lots of good.
To the family of Charlotte Bacon - she is touching lives still. Her life wasn't in vain. Her memory won't be either.
I didn't spend the $10. We might have to buy an ornament with the name Charlotte on it, to honor her. Someone thought she needed to be our angel. Or maybe, I need to read what she liked and buy another little girl a random gift to donate.
Or maybe, random act of kindness person, we might just take your lead: we start sharing the joy of life in random little ways too.......
Thank you.
Today, though, I'm glad I went to this one.
The boys former hockey coach is in town and what started as "hey, coaches, come over for lasagna" has turned into 18 people coming over for lasagna. Which is fine. In fact, it's more than fine. I love it when this happens. The more the merrier. I'm going to need to make a couple of lasagnas. More stuff needed.
This is a Super Target. Groceries, Alcohol, Household goods, etc, you know the drill. I also needed some stocking stuffers. Then I'm done.
I've done all the grocery shopping. The stocking stuffers are in the basket and I'm headed to the check out. I stop at the little section at the front of the store (the $1.00 area) to see if I need a couple of more things. On the opposite side of where I entered the store. This is the section designed for you to stop at on your way in. Oh well.
I'm looking through the bins. And in one, is a light green envelope marked "Happy Holidays" (Open Me) both hand-written in red ink. I pick it up. I turn it over. It's sealed. I look around. Puzzled. Hmm? I wonder what this is? It doesn't match anything in the bin and it was facing out. I open it. Thinking, well, if I wasn't supposed to open it, I'll pay for it if I made a mistake. It's a note card. Opening the card, printed is "Season's Greetings with all good wishes for the New Year". Hand-written below in the same red ink: "In honor of Charlotte Bacon". There was a $10 gift card inside.
Smile. First thought "How sweet. What a nice thing for someone to do in memory of someone." Maybe I'll go buy me a little something extra. Just for me. Thank you.
Oh wait, there is a typed folded over slip in here too. "In honor of the lives of the 26 children and adults that were just taken from us in Connecticut, I offer you this random act of kindness in hopes of bringing a smile to your face this Holiday season."
It didn't bring a smile. I started crying. There ARE good people in this world. We think sometimes there is more evil, than good. BUT, we are wrong. Good will always win. Then, I smiled.
On the back, the cards were produced by the "Child Welfare League of America" Whomever our random act of kindness person is/was, really went out of the way - not only to purchase cards contributing to children (I haven't looked up what the organization is about), but then purchased the gift cards. Then randomly placed them.
Thank you random person in Glendale, Colorado for taking the time from your hectic life to spread good and happy thoughts. I looked around to see if anyone was watching a grown woman cry in the middle of the aisle, but if you were there, you didn't let me know it.
I don't know if there were more throughout the store. I don't know if you spent a total of $260 honoring each and every victim or $10 honoring Charlotte Bacon. Either way, it's all good. There ARE angels among us.
Thank you for showing this little piece of the world, there is still good. Lots of good.
To the family of Charlotte Bacon - she is touching lives still. Her life wasn't in vain. Her memory won't be either.
I didn't spend the $10. We might have to buy an ornament with the name Charlotte on it, to honor her. Someone thought she needed to be our angel. Or maybe, I need to read what she liked and buy another little girl a random gift to donate.
Or maybe, random act of kindness person, we might just take your lead: we start sharing the joy of life in random little ways too.......
Thank you.
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