007/365: Serenity

I have been spoiled lately. Between 4:15 and 5ish, there exists a peaceful block of solitude. I use it to do mundane chores (check mail, voicemail, e-mail, dishwasher, laundry, start dinner), but more importantly, I use it to decompress.

Luckily, our Verizon FIOS offers digital music channels. The "Soundscapes" channel is the soundtrack for my decompression period. It is similar to XM's Spa channel: calm, mostly instrumental music that puts the listener in a serene place, perhaps a mountaintop or snow covered landscape, where one can forget about reality for a small amount of time. It is a very therapeutic way to transition from calm to.....
"MOM, HE RACED ME TO THE HOUSE!" "HE SHUT THE DOOR ON MY FINGER!" "HE BIT MY BACKPACK!" "HONEY, WHAT'S FOR DINNER?" "IS THERE ANY COFFEE?" "MOMMY, LOOK WHAT I DID IN SCHOOL TODAY!" "DYLAN GOT SENT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE TODAY!" "ARE WE HAVING DESSERT TONIGHT?" "WE'RE HUNGRY!!".......

Ah, my kingdom for a mountaintop!

Until next time....decompress away!!!

006/365: Mission: Impossible

Homework for SRR is a long, drawn-out process. Herding cats would be easier than getting him to sit and focus long enough to complete his work. MGR's body language says it all.

MGR is an amazing guy. As if he hadn't had enough of children in academia the entire day, he managed to work up the courage to accept the above mission. This is because I needed a Zumba class to raise my endorphins. He also did some laundry and packed the boys' lunches while I was mambo-ing the melancholy out of my system.

Maybe I don't say it as much as I should, but I love him!! He is a wonderful husband and an outstanding father. I am very blessed to have him in my life! (Disclaimer: This can be retracted if he doesn't help me clean the bathrooms this weekend!)

Until next time....dance away!

005/365: Working it out.

Tonight was "Y" night for our family. The boys began their swim lessons (thanks to Grandma and Grandpa!) and Mommy needed a work out! And I mean NEEDED a work out!

All employees were sent a survey to collect feedback on what to cut out of next year's budget. There are 3 columns of potential cuts and it is the employees' job to choose what should be cut. The catch? All the cuts selected had to equal the deficit of $40 million! Jobs, benefits, transportation, athletics, administration, and yes, a choice of furlough lengths were all listed. It was unsettling to see my position on this survey and know that I have a good chance of being voted off the island.

I tried to remain calm and positive, but lost all control when I got home. Any edible morsel in the house was consumed! And this was before I started cooking dinner. I then gorged while cooking and at the dinner table. It was gross!

Luckily, it was Y night. MGR was gracious enough to watch the boys at the pool while I attempted some physical exertion that didn't involve utensils. After 30 minutes of hard elliptical work, I felt better. My stomach has one heck of a hangover, but my brain is clearer and my spirits are higher. I'm now getting ready for a good night's sleep with my therapy blog and cup of peppermint tea. I hope to spend the rest of the week detoxing and working things out, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Until next time......exercise away!!

004/365: I was working in the lab late one night....

Well, truthfully, just a few minutes after quitting time. This first week of 2010, we begin the exodus into Office 2007. I guess better late than never. We are sharing tips and tricks with each other in a series of classes. I think I can actually navigate through an Excel spreadsheet. This is a breakthrough!

However, it didn't take long for the rumblings of job cuts to begin. People are sitting on pins and needles. We don't know who is staying and who is going. A survey is going out to all employees as to who and what to cut. This is going to be a very long five months.

I guess while I wait, I'll keep learning, keep working, and trying to keep my chin up. After all, I think I know how to format a cell now. The world is my oyster!!

Until next time.....format away!

003/365: The party's over....

The halls have been un-decked, cards and presents put away, the wreath taken down. A sigh of relief is expelled.

While I'm sad that vacation is coming to a close, I'm relieved that another holiday season is over. The expectations thrust upon us by outside forces clash yearly with what really happens in our lives. We strive for Norman Rockwell and end up like Norman Fell (luckily not Norman Bates). Truthfully, I am happy not seeing another Christmas commercial til next December, although they start to rear their ugly heads in August!

Tomorrow, we go back to our routines. The boys go to their school, I start a series of trainings. We begin the New Year learning. Maybe the learning should be a little different: that the holidays aren't about perfection and expectation, but about togetherness and laughter; not about gifts and shopping, but about gratitude and blessings. This is the learning I wish my boys would master.

Until next time.....learn away!

002/365: Friendmily

Moving to Virginia 12 1/2 years ago was truly an adjustment: new job, new apartment, new everything. This exodus also gave me something I truly did not expect: a new family! These very special people welcomed me into their home and lives even before I moved down here. The A's have been more then friends and better than family. They're friendmily!

This picture is of the "Fairy Godmothers", AA-C and LA, and AA-C's husband, CC. This group, along with the patriarch AA and the little sister SG (who lives in Charleston), have been by my side since I moved down here. They were at our wedding and at the hospital when each boy was born. In fact, AA-C was my coach for most of my labor with SRR.

Tonight, we were lucky enough to have dinner at their house. We were gifted with delicious Puerto Rican food and even better company. The laughs were enough to make room for the next course.

I am so blessed to have this friendmily in my life. They not only have blessed me, but my family as well. (They are pros at spoiling the boys!) The world would be a much better place if we had more friendmilies like the A's around!

Until next time....a la friendmilia!!

001/365: Coincidence?

Project 365 is a daily blog post complete with a picture. I was thinking long and hard as to how to kick it off. Should I take a picture of a natural wonder, my children playing joyfully, my cat being cute? Should I list my resolutions and how I'm going to turn into a wonderfully skinny, kind human being? Or should I be a realist?

This picture does paint a thousand words. My family is my world and keeps me sane (believe it or not) through their humor and unconditional love. However, if you know my "boys", you know why the TV screen completes the picture. (Disclaimer: I am only speaking of my "Three Stooges" although my wonderful extended family is in the picture as well.)

2010 is going to be another challenging year. Job cuts loom yet again and our financial situation is not a healthy one. However, like my friend and fellow blogger EJG, I am going to try to keep a positive, albeit realistic view of life the next 365 days. Attempts will be made to find the good in life and the good in people. Goodness is out there and needs to be recognized.

Until next time....THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!