I will start by stating that, at this point in the game, I find I like animals more than I like many people. I like no one in Amazon's customer "service" unit at all.
For anyone who did not already know this, you can set up a wish list on Amazon, and when people shop they can send you things from your wish list. Gift giving becomes easier. Libraries get some books this way. And sometimes, you can help someone out who just needs a few extra things. A couple weeks ago I had an opportunity to do something very small for someone else. I follow two sweet cats on Facebook - Trip and Yoga (visit them here and be forever charmed). Trip has CH like my Winnie and Yoga is a paraplegic due to an injury. They are both beautiful and fresh and wonderful. Their mom, Tiffany, has given them a wonderful life and she shares them with us. Trip & Yoga have a wish list on Amazon. I was doing some shopping and added something small from their list to my cart. It was to be sent to them directly because that's how the wish list works. I chose kitty shampoo. Having to bathe cats cannot be anywhere near fun...and cats with potty issues need bathing. It was just a small bottle of shampoo.
I expected it had been delivered because I received no notification to the contrary, but I did not check on it. I happened to be cleaning out my pending purchase emails today and I decided to check on that one. I was somewhat surprised to learn that the package had never been delivered because it was damaged. This all took place on December 11th....7 days ago. Not only was the package damaged...it was in the process of being delivered to ME and NOT to Trip & Yoga, who live in Ohio (which is not anywhere near me) when it was damaged and no one received it.
I contacted Amazon and immediately our relationship began to fail. First response, filled with customer service BS arrived. They were so sorry - they know how upset I must have been waiting for something to arrive that was never coming. (No no Amazon, I dated for many years and did not marry until I was in my mid-40s....I'm used to that) They were very pleased to offer me options to correct this. I could receive a refund, or, have the package re-sent to ME overnight at their expense.
I thanked them for their (fake and script-filled) email and asked that the package be delivered to the intended recipient, as should have happened last week. I then received an email that was worse. It was a form email that was not filled in properly. And a sentence began with "unfortunately". Who decided that it was excellent customer service to EVER begin a sentence with "unfortunately"? As soon as I hear/read that word, my ears/eyes close and my mind realizes that nothing good is going to follow it. No no --- they were very sorry but the package could only be delivered to me.
It made me cry. Literally. I sat in tears. Not because of their stupid lack of customer service or the loss of the item - it was cat shampoo. It was more that this giant company couldn't help me help these two little cats who have enough to deal with every day. It was more my frustration at not being able to do something small for someone who does so much. You know how sometimes you feel sad and it snowballs? That happened next. Suddenly it was about animals with special needs never knowing the love they should know. It was about all the animals sitting in shelters, where volunteers & staff do their best, but these wonderful little creatures live alone in cages. I wrote about this before (here). It was one of those afternoons.
I finally pulled myself together and told them I wanted a refund. Third horribly written email arrived to thank me for my choice and that they hoped it made me happy. Ummm...no...it did not. What made me happy was to go to a pet store on line where I could purchase an egift certificate and send it to Tiffany. Now she can get more than a bottle of shampoo and she, being an excellent shopper, is going to hold it to take advantage of post-Christmas sales, which will make it work even harder for her.
At the end of the day, it isn't about shampoo or lack of customer service. It is about doing something, no matter how small, for someone who gives so much to others. Just do it. And if you can help an animal in the process, then you're on my good list. If you don't think you can make a difference, I say to you, try anyhow because you just never know and you will certainly feel happier.
xo
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Saturday, November 16, 2013
I am a real person
Did you ever read the The Velveteen Rabbit? In short, a stuffed bunny wants to be Real...he is loved by a little boy, but more than anything Real is what he wants. {SPOILER ALERT} Through the wonders of nursery magic, he eventually does become a Real bunny.
For close to 20 months I was looking for work. In a pretty short time, I began to feel very much like I wasn't a real person. More than once I described the job search process as dehumanizing. 117 job applications and, maybe, 7 in-person interviews. In most of the 117 cases, I never heard anything beyond the initial, generic confirmation. Nothing. I really did believe in myself and in my abilities. For the most part, I applied to positions where I knew I could bring value and had experience. And that did not seem to matter. When I was able to interview, I rarely heard back afterward....not even declines. Decline me...just tell me something. I wished for my own nursery magic.
On the plus side, for the entire 20 months, I was surrounded by people who did whatever they could to help me. From the friends & family who made sure I got out and socialized to the friends who put my name in front of hiring managers to my husband who never stopped believing I would triumph. I will be forever thankful and humbled by the amount of support I received. I made a deal with myself that I would give that back whenever I could and am looking forward to doing that.
Then, there were some folks who never responded to my requests for help and that was fine -- no one was obligated to help. There were also a couple of people who weren't overly supportive and felt compelled to be vocal about what they thought, but again, that was fine -- they didn't need to be cheerleaders. I believed it would happen and that was all that mattered. And I strongly believe in Karma - the Universe will sort it all out.
Eventually, things would come together. Job #115 was the magic job. It was right for many reasons and I started on October 7th. I have been so happy to go there each day ~ and when I say the commute sucks I'm not kidding ~ but that is manageable. It's the people and the work. I think that, in addition to doing work you love, you need to work with people you like and respect. And I do. I have been handed so many opportunities to really grow over the last 6 weeks I almost cannot believe it. I do my best to make sure I am living up to the expectations my team has and those I set for myself.
As a rule, I wake up every day thankful. I have added my job and my teammates to my list. They have helped to restore my sense of purpose and value.
My job search time was both wonderful and awful. I was lucky to have the time home -- I love being home. I was able to spend the time with family and friends I didn't have before. I did things out in the yard and in the house I never had time to do. I adopted an amazing cat with mild special needs - something I would not have done had I been working at that time. The awful times were how lonely it sometimes could be...how I lost my focus from time to time...and how I wondered if I'd ever be able to continue my career.
I'm glad the nursery magic finally happened for me...how I became Real again. If you ever doubt your own abilities or feel like giving up - I say to you - keep believing and let the magic happen...I know it will.
xo
For close to 20 months I was looking for work. In a pretty short time, I began to feel very much like I wasn't a real person. More than once I described the job search process as dehumanizing. 117 job applications and, maybe, 7 in-person interviews. In most of the 117 cases, I never heard anything beyond the initial, generic confirmation. Nothing. I really did believe in myself and in my abilities. For the most part, I applied to positions where I knew I could bring value and had experience. And that did not seem to matter. When I was able to interview, I rarely heard back afterward....not even declines. Decline me...just tell me something. I wished for my own nursery magic.
On the plus side, for the entire 20 months, I was surrounded by people who did whatever they could to help me. From the friends & family who made sure I got out and socialized to the friends who put my name in front of hiring managers to my husband who never stopped believing I would triumph. I will be forever thankful and humbled by the amount of support I received. I made a deal with myself that I would give that back whenever I could and am looking forward to doing that.
Then, there were some folks who never responded to my requests for help and that was fine -- no one was obligated to help. There were also a couple of people who weren't overly supportive and felt compelled to be vocal about what they thought, but again, that was fine -- they didn't need to be cheerleaders. I believed it would happen and that was all that mattered. And I strongly believe in Karma - the Universe will sort it all out.
Eventually, things would come together. Job #115 was the magic job. It was right for many reasons and I started on October 7th. I have been so happy to go there each day ~ and when I say the commute sucks I'm not kidding ~ but that is manageable. It's the people and the work. I think that, in addition to doing work you love, you need to work with people you like and respect. And I do. I have been handed so many opportunities to really grow over the last 6 weeks I almost cannot believe it. I do my best to make sure I am living up to the expectations my team has and those I set for myself.
As a rule, I wake up every day thankful. I have added my job and my teammates to my list. They have helped to restore my sense of purpose and value.
My job search time was both wonderful and awful. I was lucky to have the time home -- I love being home. I was able to spend the time with family and friends I didn't have before. I did things out in the yard and in the house I never had time to do. I adopted an amazing cat with mild special needs - something I would not have done had I been working at that time. The awful times were how lonely it sometimes could be...how I lost my focus from time to time...and how I wondered if I'd ever be able to continue my career.
I'm glad the nursery magic finally happened for me...how I became Real again. If you ever doubt your own abilities or feel like giving up - I say to you - keep believing and let the magic happen...I know it will.
xo
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Hey 50!
So....I turned 50 this past weekend. Five-Zero. It is funny about aging -- some people piss and moan about it "Oh-my 20's are almost over...Oh-I'll never see 35 again..." wah wah wah...and some people just go with the flow. I don't really have an issue with any age - as far as I can see it certainly beats the alternative.
I am one of those people who views a birthday as the start of a new year. My new year. Time for resolutions and such. Along with contemplating the year ahead, I usually look back and shake my head. No way last year could I have predicted how things would go I always think. I go through this pretty much every year. This year, though, with it being a milestone and all, I have been reflecting on the last decade. Want to hear about it?
My 40th birthday in 2003 was great fun. My mother & my dear friend Sandra planned a surprise party for me. I arrived at my folks house thinking it was just another Sunday at the pool. Except, the first people I saw were my friend Chris and his wife Donna. I remember stopping to stare for a second while Chris called across the yard "She's here and she saw me". It was a wonderful party. So many people I loved in one special place.
2004 would bring so much sadness. In May, my beloved Uncle Jim passed away. In August I was diagnosed with two different cancers. Surgery would resolve one but my dreams of ever having children would end. The other was also taken care of but the year was a nightmare. CTRL ALT Delete 2004
2005 started off sadly - my grandmother passed away in January. But I did experience positive changes at work. Family dramas and issues would plague us then, happily, my niece Shannon was born in May and brought so much sunshine.
2006 was good on the work front. On the relationship front it was not but whatever.
2007 was great. Through a chance conversation, one of my aunts found that she was working with the person who had been my best friend in high school. We reconnected and now live 1/2 mile apart. I love that.
2008 ~ Traveled a little. Did quite a bit of dating .. to read about that you'll need to visit the "Horror" section. Highest note -- I was the officiant of my cousin Laura's wedding to Kevin. That was just awesome.
2009 was the year things turned around. In January I met Brad. I knew on our first date he was a keeper. In October of that year we bought a house and set about creating a new life.
In August of 2010 we got engaged. In December I injured my back moving furniture around the house. Herniated Disk. Just seeing the words makes my want to cry. In the midst of trying to recover, I was trying to plan a wedding. Dress shopping was out...I used a cane for close to 3 months and could barely manage standing up without help. I tried to make the best of it. Getting married would be more important than the dress.
2011 would be another year full of highs and lows. We got married in a small, private ceremony on a pretty April day. The weekend before it had snowed & the weekend after it poured. Our wedding day was beautiful. In July we held a reception in a historic barn on a hot & sunny day. Perfect. The year would end on sad notes, though. In November my Aunt De passed away very suddenly. Two weeks later our cousin Annie would also pass away just as suddenly. The day after I learned of Annie's passing, I went to work to find out that the company I worked for was shifting it's business strategy and my job was likely to be eliminated. Merry Christmas. It was a crazy year.
2012 started out with me leaving the company where I had worked for almost 23 years. Bittersweet for sure but not bad. It was the right time. I spent the rest of the year looking for a job and really learning about myself. In June, my husband and my stepdaughter Jill were able to reconnect. Relationships can be very complicated and other people can complicate delicate situations, but he stayed the course and let her know we both wanted to be close to her. On Father's Day they reconnected. She and I would meet three weeks later and she has been a vital part of our family since then.
2013 started on high note. On January 1st we adopted a new cat, Winnie. She has mild cerebellar hypoplasia, which is a neurological condition (primarily) impacting her balance. More on sweet Winnie here. I took two paralegal courses, which I enjoyed. Still searching for the right job. Enjoyed visiting colleges with Brad and Jill. Went kayaking for the first time. Finally rounded out the decade with a little family party here at our home. Some folks could not be with us and others were very much with us in spirit. Over the weekend I was thinking of the party for my 40th. The friends who were there - those I am still in touch with and close to and those I am not. My friend Chris' wife Donna passed away in June 2011 after a valiant battle with breast cancer. She would have been 50 in February 2012 & I know she would have celebrated the stuffing out of it.
My friend Donna told me about something someone she knew did for her 50th. She celebrated for an entire year. I loved that idea. The Year of De. I want to do something every month for the entire year. Nothing big. Just something every month. I dislike the overuse of "bucket list" so I'm thinking of Year of De things I'd like to do/see. I'd like to drive a tractor. I'd like to go horseback riding...on a trail would be nice but on the beach would be super cool. I have never seen a newborn kitten ~ I would like to see one and maybe bottle feed it. That is all I have for right now, but I know other things will be added. I'll share each as they happen.
If you have issues with your age, zip your trap. No one wants to hear you whining about being alive. We all have unmet goals and unrealized dreams. No where is it written, though, that we have to give up when we hit a certain age or anything...Diana Nyad anyone? If you aren't sure about where you are in life or where you are going - I say to you - stay the course. Be the best you that you can be. Make every year the Year of YOU. Celebrate YOU. Because there are people who will never be so lucky to make it that far.
xo
PS
Special thanks & love to Bridget and Jannine of JannaBee's for creating my birthday cake. It was spectacular & spectacularly yummy. Love you both for sharing your gifts...I will miss JannaBee's but am lucky to have experienced the magic♥
I am one of those people who views a birthday as the start of a new year. My new year. Time for resolutions and such. Along with contemplating the year ahead, I usually look back and shake my head. No way last year could I have predicted how things would go I always think. I go through this pretty much every year. This year, though, with it being a milestone and all, I have been reflecting on the last decade. Want to hear about it?
My 40th birthday in 2003 was great fun. My mother & my dear friend Sandra planned a surprise party for me. I arrived at my folks house thinking it was just another Sunday at the pool. Except, the first people I saw were my friend Chris and his wife Donna. I remember stopping to stare for a second while Chris called across the yard "She's here and she saw me". It was a wonderful party. So many people I loved in one special place.
2004 would bring so much sadness. In May, my beloved Uncle Jim passed away. In August I was diagnosed with two different cancers. Surgery would resolve one but my dreams of ever having children would end. The other was also taken care of but the year was a nightmare. CTRL ALT Delete 2004
2005 started off sadly - my grandmother passed away in January. But I did experience positive changes at work. Family dramas and issues would plague us then, happily, my niece Shannon was born in May and brought so much sunshine.
2006 was good on the work front. On the relationship front it was not but whatever.
2007 was great. Through a chance conversation, one of my aunts found that she was working with the person who had been my best friend in high school. We reconnected and now live 1/2 mile apart. I love that.
2008 ~ Traveled a little. Did quite a bit of dating .. to read about that you'll need to visit the "Horror" section. Highest note -- I was the officiant of my cousin Laura's wedding to Kevin. That was just awesome.
2009 was the year things turned around. In January I met Brad. I knew on our first date he was a keeper. In October of that year we bought a house and set about creating a new life.
In August of 2010 we got engaged. In December I injured my back moving furniture around the house. Herniated Disk. Just seeing the words makes my want to cry. In the midst of trying to recover, I was trying to plan a wedding. Dress shopping was out...I used a cane for close to 3 months and could barely manage standing up without help. I tried to make the best of it. Getting married would be more important than the dress.
2011 would be another year full of highs and lows. We got married in a small, private ceremony on a pretty April day. The weekend before it had snowed & the weekend after it poured. Our wedding day was beautiful. In July we held a reception in a historic barn on a hot & sunny day. Perfect. The year would end on sad notes, though. In November my Aunt De passed away very suddenly. Two weeks later our cousin Annie would also pass away just as suddenly. The day after I learned of Annie's passing, I went to work to find out that the company I worked for was shifting it's business strategy and my job was likely to be eliminated. Merry Christmas. It was a crazy year.
2012 started out with me leaving the company where I had worked for almost 23 years. Bittersweet for sure but not bad. It was the right time. I spent the rest of the year looking for a job and really learning about myself. In June, my husband and my stepdaughter Jill were able to reconnect. Relationships can be very complicated and other people can complicate delicate situations, but he stayed the course and let her know we both wanted to be close to her. On Father's Day they reconnected. She and I would meet three weeks later and she has been a vital part of our family since then.
2013 started on high note. On January 1st we adopted a new cat, Winnie. She has mild cerebellar hypoplasia, which is a neurological condition (primarily) impacting her balance. More on sweet Winnie here. I took two paralegal courses, which I enjoyed. Still searching for the right job. Enjoyed visiting colleges with Brad and Jill. Went kayaking for the first time. Finally rounded out the decade with a little family party here at our home. Some folks could not be with us and others were very much with us in spirit. Over the weekend I was thinking of the party for my 40th. The friends who were there - those I am still in touch with and close to and those I am not. My friend Chris' wife Donna passed away in June 2011 after a valiant battle with breast cancer. She would have been 50 in February 2012 & I know she would have celebrated the stuffing out of it.
My friend Donna told me about something someone she knew did for her 50th. She celebrated for an entire year. I loved that idea. The Year of De. I want to do something every month for the entire year. Nothing big. Just something every month. I dislike the overuse of "bucket list" so I'm thinking of Year of De things I'd like to do/see. I'd like to drive a tractor. I'd like to go horseback riding...on a trail would be nice but on the beach would be super cool. I have never seen a newborn kitten ~ I would like to see one and maybe bottle feed it. That is all I have for right now, but I know other things will be added. I'll share each as they happen.
If you have issues with your age, zip your trap. No one wants to hear you whining about being alive. We all have unmet goals and unrealized dreams. No where is it written, though, that we have to give up when we hit a certain age or anything...Diana Nyad anyone? If you aren't sure about where you are in life or where you are going - I say to you - stay the course. Be the best you that you can be. Make every year the Year of YOU. Celebrate YOU. Because there are people who will never be so lucky to make it that far.
xo
PS
Special thanks & love to Bridget and Jannine of JannaBee's for creating my birthday cake. It was spectacular & spectacularly yummy. Love you both for sharing your gifts...I will miss JannaBee's but am lucky to have experienced the magic♥
Thursday, August 29, 2013
So deserving of love
I like to think that I have at least an acceptable level of compassion for living creatures (most rodents & bugs, however, do not get any mercy).
Since bringing a cat with mild special needs into our family (read about it here), I have found myself experiencing increased compassion for homeless animals, zero tolerance for anyone who would harm or abandon a pet, and a larger place in my heart for pets with special needs and the people who love them. My heart does break for people who responsibly surrender - they are doing the best they can for their pet.
I recently read about Homer, a blind cat, who passed away not long ago. Homer sounds like he was a wonderful companion. More important, Homer's human shared his story and inspired people all over the world. I've been reading the messages of love to Homer's human, Gwen Cooper, and I find myself in tears over and over. Cooper, in sharing his story, has made such a difference. I think even she is surprised at how broad Homer's story reached and how much it mattered. She caused so many people to open their homes and hearts to animals who might otherwise have been unloved or euthanized.
I follow a blind Golden Retriever every day. Ray Charles and his family live a couple towns away. I love reading the messages posted on his Facebook page. Because he has not yet reached his first birthday, the messages are written in the voice of a small child which makes them even more charming and fun. There are haters who cannot wait to mock on his page -- those people do not last long there for sure. His page is a place for joy and happiness - the updates never fail to make me smile. His family rescued him from a breeder who was going to put him down when his blindness was discovered. The idea of purchasing animals from breeders makes me angry, but to put an animal down without giving him a chance just defies logic.
Mr. Magoo the blind cat, every kitty on the CH page I belong to, and countless other inspirational animals [and their humans] are making a difference. They are showing the world that animals with special needs deserve love and the chance at a good life. So what if they didn't come from breeders or are not "perfect"? Ask the humans attached to any of these animals and they will tell you how perfect their little companions are. My Winnie has no idea there's anything different about her. She really thinks cerebellar hypoplasia means "precious & adorable" in Latin. She brings me so much joy - I cannot imagine life without her. Even my Camille is in a group of animals generally among the last to be adopted -- black cats.
There are some adjustments we've made for Winnie but nothing major. And that's pretty much what it's like with many special needs animals. Minor adjustments then business as usual. My heart hurts when I see how many animals need homes - those with special needs stand less of a chance of finding homes. They deserve love and they deserve safe homes. They give so much back. They teach us how to be tolerant and how far our hearts can stretch. Best Friends Animal Society works to ensure one day there will be no more homeless pets. Check out these pages - you might be inspired. At the very least, you will be touched.
If you have ever thought a pet with special needs would be too much for you - I say to you - look again, because you might be making the most wonderful decision ever. If not, do what you can to help a homeless pet, whether it means you adopt/rescue/volunteer or just send a gift card for pet supplies to a no-kill shelter -- Winnie & Camille just sent a gift card to the Northeast Animal Shelter to help other kitties have enough to eat. You can make a difference, too.
xo
Since bringing a cat with mild special needs into our family (read about it here), I have found myself experiencing increased compassion for homeless animals, zero tolerance for anyone who would harm or abandon a pet, and a larger place in my heart for pets with special needs and the people who love them. My heart does break for people who responsibly surrender - they are doing the best they can for their pet.
I recently read about Homer, a blind cat, who passed away not long ago. Homer sounds like he was a wonderful companion. More important, Homer's human shared his story and inspired people all over the world. I've been reading the messages of love to Homer's human, Gwen Cooper, and I find myself in tears over and over. Cooper, in sharing his story, has made such a difference. I think even she is surprised at how broad Homer's story reached and how much it mattered. She caused so many people to open their homes and hearts to animals who might otherwise have been unloved or euthanized.
I follow a blind Golden Retriever every day. Ray Charles and his family live a couple towns away. I love reading the messages posted on his Facebook page. Because he has not yet reached his first birthday, the messages are written in the voice of a small child which makes them even more charming and fun. There are haters who cannot wait to mock on his page -- those people do not last long there for sure. His page is a place for joy and happiness - the updates never fail to make me smile. His family rescued him from a breeder who was going to put him down when his blindness was discovered. The idea of purchasing animals from breeders makes me angry, but to put an animal down without giving him a chance just defies logic.
Mr. Magoo the blind cat, every kitty on the CH page I belong to, and countless other inspirational animals [and their humans] are making a difference. They are showing the world that animals with special needs deserve love and the chance at a good life. So what if they didn't come from breeders or are not "perfect"? Ask the humans attached to any of these animals and they will tell you how perfect their little companions are. My Winnie has no idea there's anything different about her. She really thinks cerebellar hypoplasia means "precious & adorable" in Latin. She brings me so much joy - I cannot imagine life without her. Even my Camille is in a group of animals generally among the last to be adopted -- black cats.
There are some adjustments we've made for Winnie but nothing major. And that's pretty much what it's like with many special needs animals. Minor adjustments then business as usual. My heart hurts when I see how many animals need homes - those with special needs stand less of a chance of finding homes. They deserve love and they deserve safe homes. They give so much back. They teach us how to be tolerant and how far our hearts can stretch. Best Friends Animal Society works to ensure one day there will be no more homeless pets. Check out these pages - you might be inspired. At the very least, you will be touched.
If you have ever thought a pet with special needs would be too much for you - I say to you - look again, because you might be making the most wonderful decision ever. If not, do what you can to help a homeless pet, whether it means you adopt/rescue/volunteer or just send a gift card for pet supplies to a no-kill shelter -- Winnie & Camille just sent a gift card to the Northeast Animal Shelter to help other kitties have enough to eat. You can make a difference, too.
xo
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Me in a kayak
Inspired by Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop, I wanted to share how my Facebook image - me in a kayak - came to be.
4.) Share the story behind your current Facebook and/or Twitter profile photo
I will start by saying that I am not a good boater.
A bunch of years ago, on the weekend before the tragedy of The Perfect Storm, I went out on a deep sea fishing trip from Gloucester MA. It was beautiful. Clear skies, nice seas. Back then, I loved boating. During the trip, however, the weather conditions changed. The skies remained clear but the two storms that were coming up & down the coast met and the seas became crazy. High waves. Scary moments. The boat was a good size - maybe 40'? Without warning, a wave hit us on one side and sent that side almost straight in the air. I was on the other side that went over toward the water. I can still see it all in s l o w motion. We came so close to taking on water but we didn't. We righted quickly then got slammed by a wave. I have never been so wet with so many clothes on. I mean soaked under my skin. Then that was all - nothing else happened to us. One giant wave. We watched other boats nearby have the same thing happen. The captain told us that the Coast Guard was on the way to rescue someone from a sister ship who had a heart attack. It was like a movie - they had to lower a stretcher from a helicopter because the sea was too rough to get near them. Three hours after we left port and the tides changed enough to settle the water, we returned home (ala Gilligan's Island.
Since the boating incident I have never been a good boater. I always need to be near the life raft or know just where the life jackets are (and be able to see them & reach one quickly). I've tried - wine helped me on a whale watch last summer - but I never really relax. We went about 16 miles off the Maine coast last month and I didn't take a good deep breath until we were on land.
I have been in a kayak in the ocean. This summer, my husband wanted us to kayak in Maine where my stepdaughter Jill lives. I was afraid to try it. Basically, I was afraid of tipping over and drowning. Simple. To help me be less afraid, he got us a tandem kayak. This allowed me get a feel for it but not have to be alone. And I loved it. I really had fun once I got used to the motion. It was a great workout and we did not flip over and drown, which I consider to have made the day a success. Being in the tandem also allowed me to take some great pictures, including the self portrait I'm using on Facebook.
This past weekend we went back up to kayak with Jill. The water was choppy and it was windy. Small craft advisory in effect. Small craft = us in kayaks. I went out with Brad in the tandem while Jill went in the single. On the way back, Jill & I switched and I took the single. Not so easy without Brad in the back. I felt every wave and every gust of wind. I was actually swearing out loud when a boat went by. But I made it back without flipping over and drowning. Hooray for me!
I may never be a good boater, but I have been in a kayak in the ocean - twice - and that's pretty cool as far as I'm concerned. If you are afraid of something - I say to you - get in the tandem kayak first so you know what to expect then set yourself free. It's scary but it feels good (and you'll have the pictures to prove it).
xo
4.) Share the story behind your current Facebook and/or Twitter profile photo
I will start by saying that I am not a good boater.
A bunch of years ago, on the weekend before the tragedy of The Perfect Storm, I went out on a deep sea fishing trip from Gloucester MA. It was beautiful. Clear skies, nice seas. Back then, I loved boating. During the trip, however, the weather conditions changed. The skies remained clear but the two storms that were coming up & down the coast met and the seas became crazy. High waves. Scary moments. The boat was a good size - maybe 40'? Without warning, a wave hit us on one side and sent that side almost straight in the air. I was on the other side that went over toward the water. I can still see it all in s l o w motion. We came so close to taking on water but we didn't. We righted quickly then got slammed by a wave. I have never been so wet with so many clothes on. I mean soaked under my skin. Then that was all - nothing else happened to us. One giant wave. We watched other boats nearby have the same thing happen. The captain told us that the Coast Guard was on the way to rescue someone from a sister ship who had a heart attack. It was like a movie - they had to lower a stretcher from a helicopter because the sea was too rough to get near them. Three hours after we left port and the tides changed enough to settle the water, we returned home (ala Gilligan's Island.
Since the boating incident I have never been a good boater. I always need to be near the life raft or know just where the life jackets are (and be able to see them & reach one quickly). I've tried - wine helped me on a whale watch last summer - but I never really relax. We went about 16 miles off the Maine coast last month and I didn't take a good deep breath until we were on land.
I have been in a kayak in the ocean. This summer, my husband wanted us to kayak in Maine where my stepdaughter Jill lives. I was afraid to try it. Basically, I was afraid of tipping over and drowning. Simple. To help me be less afraid, he got us a tandem kayak. This allowed me get a feel for it but not have to be alone. And I loved it. I really had fun once I got used to the motion. It was a great workout and we did not flip over and drown, which I consider to have made the day a success. Being in the tandem also allowed me to take some great pictures, including the self portrait I'm using on Facebook.
This past weekend we went back up to kayak with Jill. The water was choppy and it was windy. Small craft advisory in effect. Small craft = us in kayaks. I went out with Brad in the tandem while Jill went in the single. On the way back, Jill & I switched and I took the single. Not so easy without Brad in the back. I felt every wave and every gust of wind. I was actually swearing out loud when a boat went by. But I made it back without flipping over and drowning. Hooray for me!
I may never be a good boater, but I have been in a kayak in the ocean - twice - and that's pretty cool as far as I'm concerned. If you are afraid of something - I say to you - get in the tandem kayak first so you know what to expect then set yourself free. It's scary but it feels good (and you'll have the pictures to prove it).
xo
Friday, August 2, 2013
Bravery & Failure
Once again inspired by Mama Kat's Pretty Much Famous Writer's Workshop
, I'm sharing a quote I found on Pinterest that inspires me.
The quote: Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.
I love quotes. I use them quite a bit and often take some inspiration from them. This quote is kind of a big deal for me and I'll tell you why.
In March of 2012, I left the company where I had worked for close to 23 years. There was a business shift and positions were eliminated. For me it was the right time to step away, recharge my batteries and get ready for the next exciting phase in my life.
I had been doing work that I loved and figured all my talent + experience = a snazzy new job when I was ready. I waited about 2 months to start looking. It took me a while to disconnect and get into a new groove. For the first two weeks I felt guilty leaving the computer...never mind just sitting and watching TV. I had to transition from work mode to not working mode and it was harder than I thought. I did learn to watch TV without guilt eventually.
Finally my search began. I applied to positions that resembled my last job. And I heard back from maybe one. I kept applying. And I kept not hearing much of anything. Sometimes I would go two months without a response. I worked with an outplacement counselor and she helped me figure out how to expand my search. She would tell me ..."Don't be afraid to try - to explore new avenues. Don't be afraid to market your skill set in a new industry." And I did it. I expanded my boundaries. I figured, what do I have to lose?
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. And that process continued. It continues still. I search job postings daily and apply when I have a good feeling. I've had some interviews, have met and spoken with some really nice people. My friends have humbled me through their willingness to do whatever they could to help. I have been incredibly blessed with the level of support I have received.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. This process is not for the weak of spirit. It is dehumanizing. I'm a real person without a job. The silence is the worst part. I went to an interview on a morning when we were having a blizzard. It took me three hours to get into Boston - a trip that normally would have taken 40 minutes. The interviewer was not as sharp as I would have expected considering the organization and his level. My career was in his hands and it didn't feel great. And then I heard nothing. Nothing. I went there in a blizzard for goodness sake.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. These words keep me moving forward. I keep applying to positions. I keep networking. I ask for help when I can. I ignore the negative comments from people who have no clue. While I consider each silence a form of failure, I know I cannot stop - I'm more afraid to give up. I know the perfect job and I are very close to finding each other.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. If you are afraid to fail - I say to you - don't be. The moment you stop trying, you have automatically failed. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep moving. Life has a funny way of working out just as it should - have faith.
xo
The quote: Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.
I love quotes. I use them quite a bit and often take some inspiration from them. This quote is kind of a big deal for me and I'll tell you why.
In March of 2012, I left the company where I had worked for close to 23 years. There was a business shift and positions were eliminated. For me it was the right time to step away, recharge my batteries and get ready for the next exciting phase in my life.
I had been doing work that I loved and figured all my talent + experience = a snazzy new job when I was ready. I waited about 2 months to start looking. It took me a while to disconnect and get into a new groove. For the first two weeks I felt guilty leaving the computer...never mind just sitting and watching TV. I had to transition from work mode to not working mode and it was harder than I thought. I did learn to watch TV without guilt eventually.
Finally my search began. I applied to positions that resembled my last job. And I heard back from maybe one. I kept applying. And I kept not hearing much of anything. Sometimes I would go two months without a response. I worked with an outplacement counselor and she helped me figure out how to expand my search. She would tell me ..."Don't be afraid to try - to explore new avenues. Don't be afraid to market your skill set in a new industry." And I did it. I expanded my boundaries. I figured, what do I have to lose?
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. And that process continued. It continues still. I search job postings daily and apply when I have a good feeling. I've had some interviews, have met and spoken with some really nice people. My friends have humbled me through their willingness to do whatever they could to help. I have been incredibly blessed with the level of support I have received.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. This process is not for the weak of spirit. It is dehumanizing. I'm a real person without a job. The silence is the worst part. I went to an interview on a morning when we were having a blizzard. It took me three hours to get into Boston - a trip that normally would have taken 40 minutes. The interviewer was not as sharp as I would have expected considering the organization and his level. My career was in his hands and it didn't feel great. And then I heard nothing. Nothing. I went there in a blizzard for goodness sake.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. These words keep me moving forward. I keep applying to positions. I keep networking. I ask for help when I can. I ignore the negative comments from people who have no clue. While I consider each silence a form of failure, I know I cannot stop - I'm more afraid to give up. I know the perfect job and I are very close to finding each other.
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try. If you are afraid to fail - I say to you - don't be. The moment you stop trying, you have automatically failed. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep moving. Life has a funny way of working out just as it should - have faith.
xo
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
My favorite summer view so far....
Was totally inspired by Mama Kat's Pretty Much Famous Writer's Workshop to share my favorite summer view so far.
During July 4th week we were on vacation in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I have seen some wonderful sights in my life and have been to some amazing places, but there is something about Boothbay that feels like home in my heart.
Despite living in Massachusetts my entire life, I never visited that region until last summer. And I fell in love right away. This year there was no discussion about where we would spend vacation - back to Boothbay we headed. We've been home for 4 days and I am already looking forward to next year.
During our visit we decided to take a boat trip out to Monhegan Island. I am not much of a boater, so 16 miles away Boothbay (though only 10 miles from the mainland) was a big deal for me. I was mildly panicked on the ride out but it was a pretty morning and the seas were sort of calm. Though the skies were clear, there was low-lying fog, which caused the island to suddenly appear before us, which was spooky & neat.
It is charming and lovely. No paved roads. No vehicles aside from some trucks used to transport luggage and large items. Beautiful walking trails. A small beach. A shipwreck. A lovely inn where we stopped for a scrumptious lunch. This is a village - people live and work here. We took care not to venture off trails into anyone's yard. Everyone we passed was friendly. Despite how hot and humid the day was, we walked as far as we could. We even ventured up a good-sized hill and were rewarded with the most spectacular view. We could clearly see the inn where we had just eaten. The wharf was still shrouded in fog. Manana Island, just next door, was barely visible. In my eyes, this was the most wonderful view of summer I have had yet. I even submitted the photo to a local photo contest....wish me luck.
If you have a chance to try something new - I say to you - put your fears aside because the reward just might outweigh everything else. And sit near the lifeboats if you really can't let go.
xo
During July 4th week we were on vacation in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I have seen some wonderful sights in my life and have been to some amazing places, but there is something about Boothbay that feels like home in my heart.
Despite living in Massachusetts my entire life, I never visited that region until last summer. And I fell in love right away. This year there was no discussion about where we would spend vacation - back to Boothbay we headed. We've been home for 4 days and I am already looking forward to next year.
During our visit we decided to take a boat trip out to Monhegan Island. I am not much of a boater, so 16 miles away Boothbay (though only 10 miles from the mainland) was a big deal for me. I was mildly panicked on the ride out but it was a pretty morning and the seas were sort of calm. Though the skies were clear, there was low-lying fog, which caused the island to suddenly appear before us, which was spooky & neat.
It is charming and lovely. No paved roads. No vehicles aside from some trucks used to transport luggage and large items. Beautiful walking trails. A small beach. A shipwreck. A lovely inn where we stopped for a scrumptious lunch. This is a village - people live and work here. We took care not to venture off trails into anyone's yard. Everyone we passed was friendly. Despite how hot and humid the day was, we walked as far as we could. We even ventured up a good-sized hill and were rewarded with the most spectacular view. We could clearly see the inn where we had just eaten. The wharf was still shrouded in fog. Manana Island, just next door, was barely visible. In my eyes, this was the most wonderful view of summer I have had yet. I even submitted the photo to a local photo contest....wish me luck.
If you have a chance to try something new - I say to you - put your fears aside because the reward just might outweigh everything else. And sit near the lifeboats if you really can't let go.
xo
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