Ten Things: August 2011

August is always a fun and busy month for us.  We celebrate LOTS of birthdays, wrap up our summer, spend time outside . . . I can honestly say that we may do more "living" in August than any other month.  This year set a new standard for that because the month seriously zoomed right by us.

We ended a trip to Florida at the beginning of the month, did a couple more sports camps, worked a little, played a lot and took our annual camping trip to Yosemite.  Somewhere in there we wedged five family birthdays, the circus and the baptism of our sweet niece.  Yep, busy.

The day after we returned from our camping trip I couldn't wait to upload all of my photos, edit them and share them like crazy.  Yosemite is a dream for a photographer (not that I am).  Well that very day my computer DIED.  D.I.E.D. never to be resurrected.  I was devasted for a little bit, but not willing to give in to the notion that it was the end of the story.  I am praying that the component that I found online will let me move everything from my undead hard drive to the PC in E's office.  The photos I was able to retrieve for this post are still on my camera or I have emailed somewhere and could pull up.

And no, I didn't back up my hard drive.  Not one of my ten things to smile about.  But here are the ones that top the August list for me this year.

Ten Things ~ August 2011

My very privileged kids enjoying SIMPLE fun

Celebrating 90 years of life for E's beautiful Grandma

The precious blessing of our tiny niece C's baptism

My funny kiddos playing Lion Tamer with each other and using the lions' names they heard at the circus. 

 "Down Tikka" "Roll Over Tikka" "Here Tikka"

FUNNY STUFF!

Our very old dog enjoying his vacation

E's unwaivering patience and tenderness with me as I struggled through camping.

Riding a bicycle every day for a week with my family and enjoying the beauty of God's creation over and over again

Finding an accessory (FINGERS CROSSED) that will let me retrieve all the files from the hard drive of my laptop that is dead!

A sweet little haircut and a visit from the Tooth Fairy to start first grade

This seriously ridiculous video of The Athlete reenacting the bear in a skit from Yosemite.  I have no idea why it cracks me up so much when he does this, but it's even better because he has sloppy joe plastered on his face and his eyes look exactly like his Dad's.  I tell him to "charm me" and he does.  I just can't help but smile and smile

Ranger Ned Show reenactment

Mind Sweep

When I am at my best, there is a very visible line for me between my business and professional lives. And when the distinction is clear I am more effective at both. I am able to give each of them everything I’ve got in their own segments of time.

When the distinction is less clear (like ALL THE TIME RIGHT NOW) I am not very good at either one of them. I spend a good deal of my business day chasing personal tasks and most of my personal time (read “time with my family”) dwelling on the business items I neglected. The outcome proves to be toxic and unproductive at every level.  Enter my beautiful friend, Alexis.

I met Alexis when our professional paths crossed a few years ago in San Francisco. She is the most pleasant person to be with and it was an added bonus that she is fantastically professional. We hit it off right away and have maintained a relationship over the course of time even when we didn’t have any business on the table.

The last time I saw her was at a meeting over the summer in Vancouver. I was thrilled that she was there and so excited to have a chance to spend some time with her. She hinted to me that she was considering making a change in her life and shared a little of the detail about her passion. Then . . .

SHE DID IT!

She left her comfortable, predictable job with a salary and benefits for her family and followed her passion. I was then, and still am, so impressed with her.

Her vlog today was about a Mind Sweep.   You can watch the 1 minute video HERE.  Guess who needed that?!?! I love the concept. She suggests that you take a piece of paper and write down everything on your mind - business and personal. In no particular order and with no rhyme or reason. Just write it all down. I did it right away and then shared it with another friend who I really think could use it. Just saying on paper that I know it needs some attention was a huge relief to me. And when I asked her if I could blog about her idea she sent me a link to share that outlines how to use the Mind Sweep to create an action plan for yourself.  Go here for that handout

I love simple things that make a big difference.  And I love good people that manifest the good things they deserve.  Thank you, Alexis.  I can finish the week now with some clarity and purpose and make sure that my weekend is all about what matters . . .

Letters to Someone

Dear Big Title with No Brains ~

Yes, that is a nifty idea.  It WOULD be great to be able to have your guests register for the Conference online so you don't have to keep a list of RSVPs.  My team likes it so much we do it for everything.  However, YOU didn't have a business plan and didn't get any money for your event until last month.  Yeah, that sort of makes it hard for us to roll you into our technology that's been live for 10 MONTHES!!!  So.  I'll keep doing what I do, quite well, and you keep that spreadsheet updated.  We'll even get ya a table and chairs to check people in when they get there.  Do you need to borrow a highlighter and a sharpie?  I'll see what I can do.

Happy Data Entry to You,

Miss Not Accepting Suggestions Until You're Organized
Dear Lady in the Jeep Liberty ~

It's been days since our encounter, but I can't quite get over you.  That's uncommon for me.  I am willing to believe that maybe you don't know that California law requires you to yield to pedestrians.  Maybe you haven't been to traffic school in the last 100 years or so.  Fine.  But let's drill down to basic human decency. Causing a woman and her young child to stop in the crosswalk in the driving rain because you're too effing rude to stop is just wrong. W.R.O.N.G.  You are oh so lucky that I make an effort to control myself in the presence of my children.  Otherwise you may have had an umbrella through the windshield.  Did you see Britney lose it a few years ago?  Yeah, that could be me.  What goes around comes around lady.  You'd better be careful.

Most Sincerely,

The Soaking Wet Chick in the Crosswalk with the Young Child

Dear Rain ~

Time for you to go.  I thought you were a pretty nifty diversion in the beginning.  Boots and umbrellas and jackets ~ oh my!  That was a refreshing change of pace.  But now it's old. And I'm tired of being wet.  And scared to drive.  And planning my days around your onslaught.  You've done your deed. Now move along.  I'm sure there's a desert somewhere that needs you.

Ciao for Now,

Southern California Sunshine Lover

Dear Haiti ~

I'm so sorry for you.  My heart just breaks every time I let myself think of you.  I sent some money and my company is doing the same.  I've also got a stack of jeans and shoes that I will drop off this weekend.  I will do anything I can to let you know I'm thinking of you and hurting for you.  Mostly I am praying.  I am praying that your people will be well and will care for each other. I am praying that you get the aid that you need the most in a timely manner.  And I am praying for peace and healing.  Don't give up.  I know I'm not the only one thinking of you.  Hang in there.

Warm Regards,

Mrs. Montoya

Now go see ShortMama and link up with her and all her letter writing friends.  ENJOY

I is for In Touch

Facebook is a love/hate relationship for me. I gave it up for Lent this past year and it was an enormous sacrifice. Pathetic, I know. The conflict is my love for being in touch with everyone vs. the amount of time I waste looking at friends' photos of people I'd never otherwise see. There are worse issues to have. I understand.

When I moved to California in 2004 my Nanny mailed me a handwritten letter every single week. I cherished that more than anything in my life at the time. It was then that I decided I would always be in touch. I didn't want to lose my connections after I relocated 3000 miles away to a place where I knew no one but E. On a good day I can still say that I am really good about being in touch. But there are connections that can't be made as easily after time and distance take hold.

Enter Facebook. Two days ago I became a "friend" with my college roommate. I have not seen or spoken to her since I left Tallahassee 15 years ago. We had some amazing times together and I have absolutely no hard feelings toward her. Time and distance took their toll on our relationship and we lost touch. Her name has come up a few times recently as my close girlfriends and I prepare for our Girls Weekend. I couldn't remember if she had a reason not to want to connect with me. How sad life is sometimes. Now we have reconnected and I am thrilled. I love looking at the photos of her 8 month old son, Bryson. It feels good to be back in touch.

Human contact makes the world go round for me. I'm a hugger, hand holder, cheek toucher. Not everyone, but I am sure I would touch your arm if we met. It's me. Don't judge. In touch is a phone call out of the blue or a well timed greeting card. Being in touch is what fuels me and drives me through the days when all of the people in my world seem like aliens. Facebook chat will never replace that, but it's a great starting point. Today I might be in love.

Gen Y - Not Me

I am not hip enough to be a solid fan of You Tube, but I have seen a select few videos that crack me up. Ed just shared with me the video of Miss South Carolina butchering a question on why Americans can’t find the US on a World Map. Oh, this poor girl!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdhMSEqhfg

I have decided that Pia needs to read more and watch cartoons less. She will need something to fall back on if her beauty fails her. I am sure that Miss South Carolina would agree!

Over the weekend we went to a SDSU Basketball Game and Pia was dressed in her cheerleading uniform. So cute! She loves this uniform more than I loved my wedding dress. I mean really, she’s just nuts about it. Every time she wears it I crack up laughing and call her “cheerleadah”, based on an Angelah Johnson skit that is on You Tube. Ed had never seen it so I looked it up and shared it with him today. If you’ve ever been to a nail salon and wondered what they were saying about you, you have to watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsWrY77o77o

Hope it gives you a laugh, too. Have a great week!