Monday, January 31, 2011

A Whole Month Gone

As I wind down the day, I stop and think that today is the last day of January 2011. A whole month gone...where did the time go. I know exactly where it went. Since starting a new job, I have been consumed with learning all the ins and outs with my new position. This is a lot, but I've done other things too.

I've gone to the beach. I've gone out to dinner. I've spent time with my husband. I've started my book club and I've been working on other fun things for this blog. Okay...okay...I've even been "farming" on FB too. But enough's enough with that I think.

Today I finally learned how to record television shows using my computer instead of the vcr. This has been on my to do list for more than a year. Now I just need to learn how to edit and then how to burn the stuff to a dvd. That's phase II and III of this process. Pretty soon I will be able to post fun stuff to this site and to my auxiliary sites (which by the way, I've counted and there are quite a few! How did that happen?!?!?!)

All in all, this has been a fantastic month and I finally feel like I have accomplished something constructive. How has your month been? What did you get to wipe off of your to do list? I'd love to hear your comments!

Have a great and relaxing rest of your day...

From Signature

Friday, January 28, 2011

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Updates

For those of you that don't know...I've started my 52 Weeks, 52 Books series. I love to read and I'll be picking up some fabulous books to read over the next year. I have an hour lunch every day Monday-Friday to read. So visit my Book Club page often to see what I have been reading.

If anyone has suggestions for books that I might like to read, please drop my a line at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com.

I'll be starting my Recipes page soon. I'm still gathering ideas, getting some help cooking/baking the items and taking photos.

My gardening section will begin sometime in the Spring after the frost. Although the weather here in Sonoma County this past January has had moments of unseasonably warm weather...it's still Winter. So check back later for great updates to this page.

I'm also planning to update the slide show and adding other photos to my Extras page soon.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Re-focusing Brings Clarity In Life

Does it feel like life is passing you by? Does every day fly by that before you know it the week is over? Is the month over before it even started for you? Are things not going the way you wanted or hoped it would be? If you've answered yes to these questions, then you need to stop, pay attention and listen.

IT'S TIME TO REFOCUS!

Staying focused in life is as important as sleeping, eating and breathing. You need all of these things to stay alive. But when everything blurs together, life begins to spiral out of control. Nothing became more clearer to me than this when I recently started my new job.

For years, I have seen and watched thousands of people pass me by, in a hurry to get somewhere. It seemed like everyone that I watched was constantly in the "Hurry up, I need to get somewhere" mode (e.g. trucks driving faster than the posted speed limits on the highway, people rushing up and down the aisles in the grocery store, cars whizzing around the corners and not paying attention to the pedestrians in the walkway). Hold up...what's the hurry? Exactly...

We're all moving so fast...
              
                                           Where's the fire?

Ok...deep breath in...and deep breath out.

Now, I asked myself a question...am I just passing through life and not taking the time to see and experience it?
 
My answer seemed pretty clear, or so I thought. I've spent the better part of my life working, working and working. My life totally revolved around work. Sure, I took vacations, spent time with my husband, friends and family, but I fear that I missed out on so much more because for many years I've constantly been working, thinking about work and bringing work home with me. Was it because of my mid-west work ethic that I did this? Or, was it because of the various role models in my life and watching how hard they worked that I did this? I don't know.

What I do know is that I have had a difficult time separating my work life from my personal life. I like to work and I take pride in my work. But my work is not all that I am...because I remember when I was younger and what I loved to do before I worked. I had so many other things that I did that were important to me, and really defined who I am today. But how do I go back to that place? I have my subconscious to thank for getting me there.

What's been going on for the last year and maybe for much much longer, is that I have been unintentionally preparing for a major life shift. I've felt it coming. Why? Because I listened and paid attention. I had hoped and prayed for it to not happen because I thought I was comfortable. The reality is that I wasn't because for the last year or more, I had been slowly, quietly, methodically and without much thought, refocusing so as to breathe new life into my life.

My life has become much clearer today, and I have not only my previous jobs to thank for that, but I also have my new job to thank as well. I love what I do now. Despite everything being fresh and new and having to learn so much, the techniques and lessons that I learned from my old jobs will help me to learn my new job more easily; thereby allowing me to get back to the other things that I love to do.

I am more than just my work, and I know that now. I feel more focused because I re-focused.

So what's the lesson in all of this? It's simple.When things don't seem to be going the way they should be, and life is just passing you by, then you know what to do. Stop, take a deep breath, and refocus because there is a lot at stake...namely, your life.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

New Experiences

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." - Anonymous

I've loved this quote ever since I saw it being used as an integral theme in a Disney movie that I love. Basically it is saying don't be afraid, otherwise you'll never get to experience anything in life.

There may be some that would say that living in fear of "whatever" is an unfulfilling life. Then there are others that would refute that statement. Whatever side of the coin you're on, let's just say, speaking from years of experience, being afraid has it's advantages and disadvantages. I have fears, some good and some, well ...let's just say they're kind of ridiculous. I won't go into detail, but let's just say that having some fear can be healthy and rewarding.

My husband says that I am a creature of habit and that I am afraid of trying new things. He's right to some extent. I am comfortable doing things that I already know and love. Experience new things is a challenge for me, but sometimes, after I do try them, I find that I actually enjoy the experience. I findthat I am this way with food, books I read, movies I watch, and places I visit.

I like being comfortable. I like to eat the things that I know and love. I love the same types of books and movies. I love to visit the same places. I love all these things because they make me feel good and happy. But, how do I know if there isn't something else out there in those arenas (books, movies, food and places to visit) that would do the same thing? I don't...not unless I try something different.

This year, I vow to try a few new things. What will you try this year that is new and different?

Monday, January 17, 2011

What To Do On A Day Off

Today is one of the first "holiday" days off of the new year. Under normal circumstances, I would be working, but since I started my new job, this truly is a day off for me. What to do? What to do? Actually, I have a whole bunch of things to get accomplished. However, today is the culmination of a wonderful 3-day weekend, my first in years!

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy the day, wherever you are, and do something special for themselves.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

52 Weeks, 52 Books

I suppose everyone is wondering about the title of this post. What does it mean? Well, I was inspired by my friend Rona's pictures on Facebook. She entitled the compilation "365 Project" and I thought to myself, "How can I do something that will chronicle a year of my life?" Well the first thing that came to mind was reading.

Since I started my new job, I actually get the opportunity to take a hour lunch every day. What am I going to do with a whole hour to myself? Read...I have so many books (not to mention magazines!) stack up underneath the side of my bed and on my bookshelf that I am practically falling over them on a daily basis.

This is going to be my chance to finally catch up on all that reading...my own personal bookclub...

I am sure you will notice which style of books I enjoy reading as I post throughout the year. Although I vow to go outside my usual style. My dear friend and big sister, Shelli, has given me a list of authors that I need to tap into and so I will. But first, I just have to get through that stack!

And so it begins...

Click on the Book Club link in the menu above and it will take you directly to the page!

New Features - Unveiled!

So if you haven't visited my blog lately, you'll notice that I have made some changes!

Notice the menu bar at the top of the page! This took several hours and several attempts to figure this out, but it is now working properly. I've added pages for Recipes and my own personal Book Club.

I am so excited about these new additions...now I will be able to share with you on a grander scale all of my activities.

All you'll have to do is click on link in the menu bar and it will take you to the page. Once I get going, I will break out each of these sections into a larger (and hopefully grander) blog.

Also notice the new background! I love the beach so I couldn't resist...

I hope you all enjoy these additions as much as I will!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

New Features!

Coming soon...new features on my blog!

Today's Working Woman is multi-dimensional. She is more than just a working woman, wife, mother and friend. She is creative, she loves the outdoors, she likes to read, she likes to cook and she loves to eat!

Look for recipes, food pairings, photos and much more in the coming weeks and months!

Hope everyone will love this added dimension as much as I will love bringing it to you!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Dwelling

…and no I am not talking about the place we live in. Rather, I am referring to when we make a mistake, or perhaps when we forget to do something (and subsequently “kick ourselves over and over again because of it”), and then refusing to let “it” go. Many of you know what I am talking about…it probably happened to you today (or like me, yesterday!) Thus it perpetuates a relentless and unhealthy cycle of making further mistakes, and continuing to rehash all these moments over and over again until we make ourselves so agitated that we lose sleep over it, or at the very least, drives not only ourselves but others crazy. (Since I know the signs of “dwelling”, I didn’t let my moment get that far!)

Dwelling on the things that don’t go well during every day living is waste of one of the most important resources we have – time. With our busy lives, there is precious little of it to waste on these futile endeavors. What we should be doing is taking these hiccups and using them as a learning tool for the future.

Say, for example, when starting a new job like I just recently did, is it safe to say that no one is expecting perfection right out the gate? Naturally, but if you’re a perfectionist, take the utmost pride in your work and have a tendency to value self worth by these things (and that will be a topic for another day), then making even the smallest of mistakes can become your downfall.

A much better way to deal with these little nuggets of useful information is to file them away and bring them out when they are needed the most. Using the past to help the present and the future is really the best way to make the most of a bad situation. Take ownership of the mistake (again, another topic I want to talk about in a future post), admit fault (out loud if needed), and remember what happened so it won’t be repeated again in the future.

Experience is a great source to draw upon to help bring about success in everything that we do. Remember… it’s better to be “well” in the situation than to “dwell” on the situation.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

New Beginnings - January 1, 2011

Today is the first day of the first month of 2011. 1/1/11 for those of us who like to abbreviate things. I have had time to reflect on many things since my last post. Mostly what I have been reflecting on is "change".

Whenever the new season starts, it makes me stop and think about life and how it is ever changing. Life is about changing, growing, learning and being able to adapt to all of it in the most positive way. The knowledge I have gained over the years has taught me that there is no point in letting things get the best of me. Since I am the master of my own destiny then I must create the path to lead me in the direction that I want to go. There is no one else that will do it for me. I make the changes happen in my life.

I am, by my own admission, a creature of habit and comfort. Change can and at some times is difficult for me. However, when I know that something is no longer working for me, I know that I must make a change. No matter how much I resist, I must be willing to try new things. Listening to my inner self, is something that I live by and it has served me well.

As this is January 1st, it is only natural to begin again, start something new, turn over a new leaf or write that old standby, a New Year's resolution. As for me, I am going to listen to my inner self and let it lead me down the path of my life.