Musings of an Unfinished Woman

Random thoughts at 3 am

 
The picture is of Second Beach on the Washington Coast (where I will be next week)...

 

Random thoughts at 3 am. (I can never sleep when I have a sinus infection). Both Shanna and I are on antibiotics for sinus and upper respiratory infections. Shanna doesn’t do sick well (maybe because she’s been a very “well” kid and when she is sick, she wants to be taken care of. On the other hand, when I am sick, I would just rather be left alone.

 

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the playoffs and will play Phoenix starting on Sunday…go Blazers! Since we have Comcast Sportsnet, we have enjoyed watching our team this year…something Russell and I enjoy together.

 

Last week, Shanna left on Thursday morning with the band to perform in the Regional Conference competition and from there, went directly to Eugene for the State Thespian Conference. Shanna did mime and improvisation and took fourth in improv and was the only one from her school to compete in that category. I can’t imagine getting up in front of thousands of people, getting a topic and coming up with a “routine” on the fly like that! That’s my girl!

 

I’ve had two great interviews (at least I think they went well) for a position at our church for a Facilities Assistant. It’s a lot less money than I earned at my last job but the flip side is that it’s only 25 hours a week which would reduce the stress in my life, give me more time to exercise and allow me to pursue my dream of owning a retreat business. Just giving voice to that is so powerful. I am doing my research, reading some books about starting a business and I am attending a women’s retreat, sponsored by Joan Anderson, the author of five books, including, “A Weekend to Change Your Life”. I love her books…they have resonated with me since I read them in 2008 (see post from August 2008). Russell gifted me with this retreat for my 50^thbirthday and it’s coming up next weekend (April 24-26) on Whidbey Island for my 50^th birthday.

Russell and I are taking a week to vacation and unwind together. We leave early Tuesday morning and are scheduled to take a 3.5 hour “rain forest tour” in the Olympic National Forest. Then a drive up the Washington coast, spending a night in Forks and another in Port Angeles, before heading to Whidbey Island, where we will stay for four nights. It’s been forever since we’ve taken a road trip and with the exception of a couple of overnights at the beach, we haven’t had a vacation in several years. Being the organized, plan-ahead person that I am, I have done extensive research; have planned out our route with lots of time for exploring the beauty of the Olympic forest and beaches. Russell is thrilled because while I’m at my retreat, he will have two days to himself…he’s got some new movies, books and is planning a trip to an aerospace museum. This will be a relaxing vacation for us. I love time in the car together…we’ve had some of our best talks in the car while driving. My motto (and it’s hanging on my bulletin board) is “Expectations reduce joy”. I am guilty of over-planning and over-expecting, particularly when it comes to vacations, family events, etc. so I am trying to set aside my expectations and just enjoy the moment. I am so looking forward to walking on Ruby Beach...isn't this beautiful!

Unemployed...still searching and dreaming

Sometimes, we make a decision based on things we can see without looking deeper into the things we can’t see. Instead of taking the time to ask questions and explore all the options, we jump in and it comes back and bites us in the butt. So goes my new job, which wasn't meant to be. I should have asked to see the office before I accepted the job. He told me his office was out of his home and that he had converted his garage into offices...well, that's true to a point. I am an organized clean-freak and he told me the office needed organization. The "logistics" of the job (close to home, good working hours, casual dress, a salary we both compromised on, nice neighborhood) all weighed heavily in my decision to take the job. The reality is that the "office" is one/third of his garage. It's no bigger than about 15x15 feet. Two desks...side by side about 3 feet apart. Two tables stacked with "stuff". The remaining walls were covered with literature racks, clothing racks, etc. No bathroom...you have to use the one in his house (if it's unlocked) or go across the street to city hall. The bathroom is also the laundry room (complete with dirty laundry on the floor…ick). No microwave or fridge. It was clear almost immediatly that our work styles didn’t mesh. I couldn't stand being in such a small, closed in, messy, unorganized workspace, with no bathroom. etc. The thing of it is...he's a nice guy and I hope he finds the right person. We agreed we weren't compatible and parted company amicably.

 

Do you ever feel like you've hit a dead end, that you're going in slow speed, waiting to figure out where you're going? That's how I feel as I continue to wait on the Lord. I believe He will guide me to the right job. I interviewed at our church yesterday and have a second interview next week. It could be a perfect job for me. It is 25 hours a week and is about half of what I was making at my last job. While earning a decent salary is important, I don't want it to be the deciding factor - I want to enjoy what I do and where I work.

 

Here's the thing...I have realized in the last several months that I have a passion for working with women and would love to have a retreat-workshop business that encompasses not just scrapbooking, but issues of the heart and mind. I think I could also incorporate photography and teaching digital photo classes. I have extensive experience in event planning, coordinating seminars and retreats. Russell is very supportive of my dream...and that's what it's been is a dream. The question is, can I make it a reality in these tough economic times? The church job, while not a lot of money, would provide some income while giving me the opportunity (and time) to explore the logistics of what it would take to start a retreat/workshop business. I have been praying for quite some time about this...having owned a retail business before, I know that I don't want a business that is all consuming...I want (need) to have balance. I am working with a woman who owns a retreat business in another state to coordinate one here in Oregon so I think that could be a good starting point.

 

My unemployment has been extended (thank you Lord). So…there it is…as Martin Luther King said…I have a dream. We’ll see where I can go with it.

 

Have a great weekend...happy Friday. Hope you're seeing signs of spring where you are!

 

 

Feeling Lucky and Blessed

Sometimes, life is just perfect. This weekend was a great example. Friday night was the Michael Buble concert with Shanna and my wonderful MIL (isn't she cute). Saturday night, Russell and I went to see Ten Grands, which is a wonderful fund raiser here in Portland which benefits music programs in local schools, offers music scholarships, etc. Ten incredible masters of the piano, including one of my favorites, David Lantz. A fabulous concert and a date with my sweetie. Easter was low key for us as none of us felt very well…so it was just chilling on the couch watching movies (I think I could watch Blind Side at least a dozen more times).

Hoping to have more time for scrapbooking (seriously, I spent more time at school and doing homework than working a full-time job!!). A funny thing happened last night...one of my favorite blog authors that I read on a regular basis has a weekly giveaway on her blog and I rarely enter because I never think I'm going to win or it's something I'm not interested in...but I entered this week and guess what...she picked my name!!! How fun is that! http://www.aliedwards.com/2010/04/and-th.html

Russell has his own route now (right out by my old job ironically!) and Shanna and I got to meet him for a few minutes last week between appointments. Her comment..."he really does work for UPS and drives a really big truck!!' It does make you wonder how kids think...where did she think he went everyday! I think she's one of those who needs to see it to believe it.

Shanna has a busy week ahead. Regional band contest on Thursday followed by the State Thespian Conference. Shanna will be doing mime (she does a hilarious scene where she is an older black woman with a walker) and then she's doing an improv scene. I couldn't do that in a million years, but she has a gift for making people laugh...so here's hoping she gets some great scores in both competitions and has a good time. Happy Monday...hoping our rain and wind will let up soon so we can have a few more days of spring.

 

Good stuff...

Lots of good stuff to share. I am a huge Michael Buble fan…love his music. When I found out he was coming to Portland with his Crazy Love tour, I decided to get tickets for Charlotte, my mother-in-law, Shanna and I (how often do three generations love the same music!). The concert was last night and all can say is WOW! Fabulous and the opening act, Naturally 7 was really awesome (an acapella group who sings and become the music instruments – it’s hard to explain…but you can do a search for them on the Internet). Michael is an awesome artist and sounds as good in person as he does on his CDs…a fun night although Shanna was a little turd because I wouldn’t let her text during the concert (what is it with teens and their texting? Put the phone down for a few hours and engage in real life activity).

 

Well spring break is over and once again, my life is changing in unexpected ways. My first round of unemployment ran out this last week. My plan has been to continue going to school full-time unless the perfect job came along. While I expected that my unemployment would be extended, I didn’t want to just assume that it would, so I updated my resume and posted it on several job search engines on Monday, March 15. Much to my surprise, I got a call from a national company with franchises all over the US on Wednesday morning (two days after I posted my resume), had a phone interview on Thursday, March 18 and then interviewed with the local franchise owner the following Tuesday. My in-person interview lasted 2 hours. Couldn't believe how long we talked. The job would be ideal...it is about 4 miles from home in a in a fabulous community (nice walking paths, little shops, etc.). I have never “negotiated” for a job, but I decided that if this was meant to be, that the owner would be willing to compromise on some of my requests. We compromised on the pay with a promise of bonus based on sales. So…I’m starting my new job on Monday, April 5. I’ve never worked in an office this small…just me and the owner with a couple of outside sales people. I will be running the office. It will be nice to be bringing home a salary. While I’ve enjoyed school, I would rather be working, although I will continue to take a couple of online courses. I didn't look for this job…it came to me out of nowhere, so once again, this is another unexpected "meant to be" designed by God. .

 

After four years as a UPS “cut” driver (which means that he called in every morning to find out if he worked, and if so, what route he would be working), Russell got his own route! Another huge blessing from the Lord. He really loves the route…regular hours (and paychecks)! Last week (while I was on spring break) Russell kept mentioning that his eye was hurting, burning, etc. Well he finally called in sick and went to the doctor. He scratched his cornea somehow, so he was off work for three days, which was nice as it allowed us to have some time together.

 

Shanna’s prom is tonight so I’ll post pictures soon…in the meantime, Happy Easter. Thank you Lord for this wonderful reminder of the miracle of Jesus death and resurrection.