Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Making Memories Along The Sand

There is just something about walking on the sand as the waves come in from the ocean and slap the shore. Visiting Pismo Beach is something that I wait for all year long. During those years, when we don't visit, I cherish the memories and make my guy take me to our coast so I can get

Today's walk was a bit different, since my foot and ankle are really giving me trouble, and my fairly new tennis shoes are toast, I had to rely on my walking stick to help me across the sand to the water's edge. Since we are staying at the Sea Gypsy Motel, we walked along the beach north of the pier. Totally different vibe over on this side.

We watched a bunch of athletic souls playing volleyball and working out. No beach bunnies here, this group was totally hardcore.

I was hoping I would meet some 4-legged friends and I wasn't disappointed. Meet Baby and Pepper, two really cute and very friendly Chihuahuas, with more energy than humanly possible!

                                             


There is never a dull moment at Pismo...here are some other memorable moments:
1. The young kid talking with his grandmother..."But I'm hungry!" "How can you be hungry? You're always eating!"
2. Meeting the Surfing Goats! Yes, I did say the surfing goats! Meet the family below:



Now I know you probably don't believe me when I say surfing goats, but seriously...watch this:



Wishing you moments to make memories!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Monday, May 27, 2013

Along the Road to Pismo Beach

Driving along the road to our destination today, there were so many things that I saw that will make this trip a memorable one. I typically don't have time to look around because I am driving but since I was the co-pilot today I used the opportunity to the fullest advantage.

The first thing I saw was this...




Mind you, this was not the location where I saw it, but it was the same truck. I thought my eye's were playing tricks on me, but I did a little research on this and Smelly Mel's is a real business with a 4 1/2 star rating on Yelp.com. Go figure!

We were on our way flying down Interstate 280 when we saw a women in the back seat of a king cab tuck with her hair caught in the the window. I wish I would have had my camera out but I didn't. It reminds me of the moment when we were traveling through the Salt River Canyon following a pickup truck with a dog in the back who was chasing his tail around and around. Just one of those moments...

The next thing that struck me was the sign that said "A Pink Kennel". We've past this place for years and I can't believe I'm even interested in this place. The only thing it has going for it is the color...'cause it is definitely pink...Pepto Bismal Pink! The Yelp.com rating was...well let's not go there.

We knew we were getting close to our destination when we a billboard sign similar to this...


 ...and of course, as soon as I see it, I yell very loudly "Anderson's!" Startled the hubs pretty bad and I thought it was really funny. One of these days, we're going to have to go visit these Hap Pea and Pea Wee:


So this is our first day of vacation. Had loads of fun!

Wishing you moments to treasure!

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Sunday, May 26, 2013

GBE 2: Comforting

As I sit here today on this lazy Sunday of the first weekend of my vacation, I am thinking about some of the things that I saw during the past week...

Practically every day, I walk one of the main streets that runs through the downtown area where I work. There are a lot of homeless people that hang out here; several of which whom ask me if I have any spare change. They ask me this same question every time they see me. I wonder to myself if they even remember that they have asked me already. Each time I say no because I don't carry any cash. Common sense dictates that we not speak with them or give them any money because they won't use it for food or bus fare, but rather, for drugs. While I feel sorry for them, there are a number of nearby shelters that can help, including Catholic Charities. I volunteer for this organization through my work. I find it comforting to know that I am helping out the best way I can. 

During the mid part of the day, there are a fair amount of artists that play their musical instruments and even a few cash-strapped students taking surveys for whatever organization that is being supported this week. Walking back to the office, one afternoon, I saw a man carrying a backpack and a bag. He stopped several feet in front of me, near a trash receptacle, removed his backpack, opened it and transferred the contents from the bag to his backpack. The bag held plastic bottles and aluminum cans. An overwhelming sadness overcame me as I walked by. I realized at that moment that all of these people, this very eclectic group, are a part of the microcosm known as downtown. Like the shops and restaurants that I pass by, each are just trying to make a living the best way they know how. 

So the next time, you pass an artist on the street, pay them some respect and drop them some spare change into their tip bucket. Tell that homeless person the name of the nearest shelter and if you get a chance to volunteer, do it. Your life will be forever changed. I think you'll find great comfort in it.

Wishing you moments of comfort!
 

***I have written this piece for a group on Facebook that I joined, GBE 2: Blog On. This is week #106 and the topic is Decisions. Interested in more...click on the picture below to take you there.

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Vacation


My mind is only on one thing...


Wishing you moments to remember great vacations!

 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The Tuesday Tribune - What's For Dinner?

Like every other working woman out there, I inevitably come home each night to the same question: "What's for dinner?" Frankly, after working all day, this is the last thing I want to deal with...however, I have a husband who has skipped breakfast and probably lunch, been working all day, and is starving. I am lucky though...I only have to deal with one hungry bear, and while I like cooking and baking, having to deal with it the evening meal every day is exhausting! I can only imagine how women with huge families feel!

So what do we do as busy working women when it comes to meal time? 

Although my mom worked for our family business (the office was in our home) she made dinner and had it on the table at 5:00pm each weeknight. Best of all she was able to come up with something unique for every single meal. I had my favorites (noodles with sauteed cracker crumbs) and also my dislikes (salmon patties). The one thing she didn't do was teach me how to cook. I had to learn that on my own and with the help of my hungry bear!

I have a co-worker who cooks one day a week and freezes everything. She takes out one dish every night, adds a vegetable and she is all done. Although, she does spend about 7-8 hours one day every weekend cooking. I'm not sure that would work for me, but I admire her tenacity.

For my family, it doesn't make seem to make sense to put a lot of effort into a full blown meal during the week because it would take us hours to do something we would both like to eat. Since I usually don't get home until 5:30pm/6:00pm, we'd be eating dinner at 8:00pm. Not a good thing for us since my hungry bear likes to go to bed at 9:00pm and I can't go to bed on a full stomach. Can you say acid reflux everyone?

For now, we've come up with a solution and that is to just eat simple meals we can make in 30 minutes or less, eat leftovers or (gulp!) grab something fast to bring home during the week. For those 30 minute or less meals, we'll make soup and sandwiches, salads and even fish sticks and tater tots. I also like to pick up frozen lasagna and pizzas to keep on hand. While they are not necessarily a good choice, they work. 

On the weekends is where we shine in the kitchen and love to make the fancy meals where we are able to have leftovers for several days. Roasts, turkey, chicken, chili and other great prepared with leftovers in mind. When we are really on top of it, we're able to can or freeze a few things to pull out on those weekday nights when we really are "fed up" with the choices we have. Best of all, we have enough of whatever we made left over to last several nights so those "What do you want for dinner?" questions are easily answered just by opening the refrigerator door.

Since there are only two of us, our solutions are fairly easy. I'd love to hear what your solutions are. Write me at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com or leave a comment to this post.

Wishing you moments of not having to figure out "What's for Dinner!"
 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Monday, May 20, 2013

GBE2: Mentoring Me

Mentoring...a buzz word for the workplace. While it has been around for a very long time, it came into popularity in the '90s. The yuppies kind of took it over and frankly, it used to actually mean something.

As for me, I don't remember it too much when I was coming up through the ranks. I had to fight and crawl to get where I wanted...and mostly did it on my own. I made a lot of mistakes.

As a young administrative professional, my first mistake was telling my boss "no" in a one-on-one conversation. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy with me and I had to explain myself. Unfortunately, I ended up having to do what he wanted me to do anyway. So standing up for myself was pointless. The first two years in my "career" were definitely a learning experience. It's where I learned to suck it up, and watch how my superiors did their jobs. This was beginning of my own "self" mentoring. Although I met some really great people who have become friends and family to me, I realized then that no one was going to take me under their wing to help me advance my career (we were all trying to advance our careers so who had the time!), so I had to create my own wing. 

Over the years, I worked a variety of admin jobs, taking with me what I learned from the previous positions and forging ahead to workplace situations unknown. I had to overcome many challenges including my slight dyslexic tendencies, my pathological need to have everyone like me, and the never-ending ability of everyone else being able to walk all over me. But have no fear, while all these things were going on, I was still mentoring me. With each job, I was gaining valuable intel on how to act, work and become successful. 

Then I had a great epiphany. I realized that all the promises made to me over the years were empty, and that the only way I was going to be successful was to make it happen for myself. The years of "self" mentoring were finally going to pay off. I made decisions that would ultimately bring me true happiness and success. It was a scary time and frankly, I didn't think I was going to make it, but I forged ahead anyway.

Today, I am pretty happy with where I am at. I have a great day job, terrific boss and I am writing! Best of all, I am continuing to mentor me every chance I get. I highly recommend it!

Wishing you moments to mentor yourself!

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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

TWW's Book Review: My Foot Is Too Big for the Glass Slipper: A Guide to the Less Than Perfect Life by Gabrielle Reece


Over the years, I've read numerous inspirational or what I affectionately refer to as the "Kick in the Pants, Wake Up Call" books. Without a doubt, Gabrielle Reece's My Foot Is Too Big for the Glass Slipper: A Guide to the Less Than Perfect Life is, by far, one of the best I have read in a very long time. Lets face it. Life isn't perfect. For anyone that thinks it is, you're sadly mistaken.  Anything worth having doesn't come easy...you have to work at it.

One of the things I like about Ms. Reece's style is that she doesn't sugarcoat anything. There's no B.S.; she just tells it like it is. While I am not a mother, I am a busy working woman with a husband whom I have been with for over 25 years (married for 20), along with a multitude of things to manage in my life, including family, friends, obligations, personal projects and, believe it or not, a second career. It's not like I have a whole lot of free time; and yes, I do feel guilty (even though I don't have children) when I have neglected some things, including myself.

The book provides a refreshing perspective on everything from marriage, children and even our relationships with other women. But the truth is ladies, this is stuff that we should already know but seem to forget when we are living in the midst of our chaotic lives. No one is going to make you happy except for yourself. I found that out a long time ago. Taking responsibility of your own life is knowing that no one is going to charge into your life wearing the cape to rescue you (my husband will get a kick out the cape reference as he is always telling me to remove the cape...more on that later!) and that yes, indeed, you have to stand up and take responsibility to do the things that will make you happy and for those of us that are lucky enough, to make our partners happy.

But let's be clear here, what works for one may not work for someone else. At the core of Gabby's book is choice. I think that choosing how to make it all work for you is crucial to any relationship. Case in point, my husband does the cooking and shopping; in return, I wash the dishes and do the laundry. This doesn't mean that he does the cooking every night. I sometimes cook and he has been known to wash the dishes. But this is what works for us and that is what Ms. Reece is trying to say. 

Take a moment and read this book. I think you'll find it be one of the best you'll read in a really long time. I recommend that you keep it handy and go back to various chapters as an instant refresher course whenever you need a "kick in the pants, wake up call.

 

Wishing you moments of great reading!

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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

TWW's Book Review: A Celtic Witch (A Modern Witch Series) by Debora Geary


Finally, we're getting to find out what happens with Marcus and Morgan, but first we have to me Cassidy Farrell, and she is a remarkable woman! I love reading about strong women who have great talents.

Cassidy is a world renowned Celtic fiddler and she is winding down her current tour to take a much needed rest. (I know how she feels, being dedicated to your craft is exhausting at times!)

Marcus, on the other hand, is somewhat of a curmudgeon, set in his ways, and a bonafide bachelor with a cute little tiny baby girl named Morgan. He's doing just fine with his life until Cassidy comes along. Then his whole world turns upside down...again.

When Cassidy rolls into town, she's called by the rocks, but it is the music that speaks thru her and out to others, including wee Adam.

I just love all these books by Debora Geary. Some have spoken to me more than others and this is one of them. Music and the arts have always been an important part of my life and A Celtic Witch speaks volumes. Not only does Cassidy have a tremendous gift, but she shows someone very special that he has a gift as well. 

The relationship that develops between Marcus and Cassidy is delightfully charming as they dance around each other until they no longer can deny their feelings. The question begs though, will Cassidy go out on the road again, or will Marcus find a way to get her to stay. You'll have to read A Celtic Witch to find out! BTW...if you have not read any of the preceding books in the Modern Witch Series, you'll need to go back and read them first. They all play off of each other and will make this story more enjoyable! Rating:

 

Wishing you moments of great reading!
 
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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Letters for Our Troops

I'm a little behind the eight-ball this month...so forgive me for this late post...


I am currently involved with a great program called Letters for Our Troops. Help support our men and women in the Armed Services and show them that we care. Please take a moment and send them a card or letter and mail it to the address below. They are collecting until May 25th.


Proverbs & Wisdom
P.O. Box 3019
Garden City, NY 11531


All letters and cards will be forwarded to A Million Thanks, an organization who will send all of our letters directly to our troops.

LETTER’S GUIDELINES (As Submitted by A Million Thanks):
  1. Do not include additional postage.
  2. Do not send edible items or other care package items.
  3. Do not use glitter, confetti, or anything that is not securely attached to the letter or card.
  4. Only include positive messages. Any negative messages will be discarded. (A Million Thanks reads each letter to ensure our troops will be receiving positive, uplifting messages only.)
  5. Be creative! Draw pictures, talk about you, and let them know their service does not go unnoticed.
  6. Include your address or email address if you wish. Most military will write back to you!
  7. Attention parents and/or teachers of young children: We ask that if children are too young to include a message of thanks, please write one on their behalf so our service members get a message along with a drawing.

With Deepest Thanks!

 


Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Sunday, May 12, 2013

TWW's Book Review: A Charming Wish (Magical Cures Mystery Series) by Tonya Kappes


In A Charming Wish by Tonya Kappes, June is once again embroiled in a mystery and this time it landed at the door of her shop...literally! Who killed Kenny? Ugh...the author really needs to stop making references to pop culture. Anyway, June needs to figure this one out because unlike before she really is in big trouble with a capital "T". And to top it all off, she's just been named Village President.

Worst of all, there have been some additional crimes around town and her name is written all over them. An ostrich is missing, the recipes for June's Gems has been stolen and now June has been banished from Whispering Falls until this whole thing can be sorted. Does someone have it in for June? Well, she's not going to sit this one out, no matter what the Order of Elders tell her. She has to find out who is involved in all these horrible deeds, no matter how bad it looks around town that she has been asking a bunch of questions.

June will now have to be resourceful and use her sleuthing talents to find the answers she seeks. Along the way she gets a little help from a few people and begins to piece together the clues one by one. Too bad that Oscar...whoops! Oh no! I am not going to reveal that secret! You'll just have to read the book to find out.

I found that this story was delightfully refreshing after the dismal failure of the previous one. Despite the one reference...well two if you actually think about it, but truthfully, it was fun to actually see how the two support characters of June actually went at it with each other. It made for a nice twist on the antagonist part of the storyline and kept your mind off of the mystery, or shall we say, several mysteries going on. 

There is sort of a sad part to the story that affects two of the characters, but I will leave my readers to find that out. Needless to say, I don't think this is the end of June, Mr. Prince Charming, Oscar and the rest of the residents of Whispering Falls. Ms. Kappes, you have redeemed yourself! Rating:

 



Wishing you moments of great reading!
 

Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Sunday Scribble - Happy Mother's Day 2013


Mother's Day comes once a year,
but one day is not enough.
Mindful to keep her very near,
and never, ever treat her like fluff.

Always there and never far,
holding hands and wiping  tears.
Watched us learn to drive that car,
biggest cheerleader through the years.

Breakfast in bed and macaroni jewel box
she loved every gift no matter made or bought.
Now she'd be happy with a card and some socks,
as long as we remember her like we aught.

Not an obligation to spend time with our Mothers,
she's loved us without fail and beyond all measure.
It's better than being alone if we had our druthers,
and love her so much 'cause she's our greatest treasure.



Happy Mother's Day to all moms near and far!

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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Saturday Share: It's Never To Late






Wishing you moments to be whomever you want to be! 
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Liked anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!

TWW's Book Review: Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg


Question: When is a book not a book. 

Answer: When it has 37 footnotes by the 24th page.

Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg is nothing more than a thesis paper thinly disguised and marketed by the publishing company as the next "it" book for women. Well...not all women; at least in my mind.

Why, you ask?  The reality is that most women are never going to get the opportunity to work in a Fortune 500 company as an executive. Now that's not to say that women won't have opportunities to work in large or mid-size corporations. Let's face it. Most top level jobs are already taken, and if the company is worth its salt, the chance for advancement is slim because those at the top like their jobs and tend to stay, especially when the company is well established and appreciates their staff.

So what kind of message is Ms. Sandberg sending to the average American woman? On the surface, I can't quite figure it out. Perhaps we need to dig a little deeper here. If her book is merely a dissertation on the battle between the sexes and the inequality of paychecks, then sadly, the author is really behind the times and she hasn't told us anything that we haven't already heard.

However, if she is saying that we, as women, will never be happy unless we occupy every top level executive position in the country, well then, I beg to differ? What if our mothers decided they didn't want to be our mothers and just wanted to climb that corporate ladder, then where would we be? What if I don't want to be a top level executive at a Fortune 500 company? Can't I be happy doing exactly what I am doing right now? What if I don't want to be a leader? What if there are other women who don't want to be leaders? Is being a leader the only road to happiness? I think not. I have a lot of will and ambition, but my desires don't necessarily point me in that direction.

But, let's take this a little further. Ms. Sandberg says on page 10 (Kindle version) that she "would never advocate that we should have the same objectives. Many people are not interested in acquiring power, not because they lack ambition, but  because they are living their lives as they desire....We each have to chart our own unique course and define which goals fit our lives, values and dreams." This is great, however, the overall message of the book makes it seem that the only correct life choice that we, as women, should have is to be on that corporate ladder climbing toward the top rung to obtain equality. She says on page 10 (Kindle version)  "If we succeed in adding more female voices at the highest levels, we will expand opportunities and extend fairer treatment to all."  

Now that the author has highly advocated that we, as women, should go for that top rung, and we succeed in adding more women to top level positions, where's the guarantee that fairer treatment and equality will occur? Also, while I thank her for supporting us in making choices, but then tell us in the next breath that we, as women, should all be leaning into our careers to level the playing field just seems to send out a mixed message. And, let's not even talk about the underlying subtext of the "you should be doing it this way because this is the way I did it, I know it works, and you will be successful and happy if you do it this way." With so many inconsistencies throughout this book, it makes it difficult to see what the real point is here. 

To circle back around to the very beginning of my review, this entire book reads like a master's thesis paper for one of Sandberg's Harvard classes. While I can appreciate the fact that she loves to "rely on hard data and academic research" (page 9, Kindle version), some of us would have just preferred her thoughts on the subject backed up by her real life experiences. The 227 footnotes is a little excessive and limits the audience from any opportunity to flush out the details, not to mention the loss of flow while reading due to constantly having to flip back and forth between the book and the footnotes. How are we as the readers suppose to know if these thoughts are really hers or those that were referenced? And, who really has time to read through, in depth, all of these footnotes, including researching the sources of those said footnotes? Certainly not myself.
 
Now, I will admit that there are some principals in this book that can be followed and adapted to fit every women's life. (Note: It took until almost the last couple of chapters to find some kernels of wisdom. Any hope of finding something earlier in the book is simply lost within the text stemming from the research and footnotes.) Perhaps these few morsels were the real intent of the book, but the message simply was too muddied up in her intelligentsia. As a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business school, there is no doubt that Sheryl is a smart woman; however, she would have better served her audience if she had spoken to us and not above us. As a college graduate, I have the capability of dissecting and extrapolating information; however, others might not be able to do so, or if they were it would be with great difficulty. Perhaps there is something here, but not all of us will see it. Maybe it got lost in the translation.

Overall, I think the message to "lean in" to "whatever" could have been delivered with a little less reliance on statistics and information from other sources. The one thing the book failed to mention is after we, as women, work so hard to get to the top rung, what do we do when we get there? It seems that the author and her colleagues have spent too much time climbing the corporate ladder, missing out on having some fun and losing the opportunities to be truly creative and produce something that will leave a lasting mark on the world, other than to say, I was the CEO/COO (or some other high level position) of such and such company. As for me, I would rather not strive for the top rung, but hang back a few steps, and enjoy the creativity and fun afforded to me at that level while enjoying life a whole lot more. Rating:


Wishing you moments of great reading!






Like anything you see here? Then contact me, Susan Dusterhoft at todaysworkingwoman@hotmail.com. I am always looking for more books/products to review. I can also provide assistance with blog writing!