figuring out 40

getting (more) things done.

I'm a productive person. I'm an account/project manager by day...keeping lots of balls in the air most of the time. At home, I "manage" pretty much everything. I freelance. I exercise. I even cook. Even though I'd love to have a few more hours in the day, I'm pretty determined to make the best use of the hours that I do have.

As a result...I'm a junkie for organizing & productivity books. I brought 2 books with me on this trip (I'm in Ohio)...Getting Things Done and Never Check Email in the Morning. They've both been sitting on my bookshelf for a few months. GTD has a lot of ideas that I'll likely implement (particularly the email managment systems). I've been jotting down notes as I'm reading, and plan to put ideas into action when I'm back in the office. I couldn't get into Never Check Email...honestly, any book that promotes only checking email at certain points in the day makes me yawn (if anyone is interested in reading it, just drop me a note in comments...I'm happy to pass it on).

Anyway...while I'm on this kick of looking for new ways to be even more efficient, I'd love to know your tips & tricks. Or the blogs and books that you're reading about organizing & productivity.

How do you get things done?

the sum of my small steps

I have a quote hanging on my vision board that says "I am the sum of my small steps." I remind myself of this quote often...particularly b/c I have a bit of a perfectionist streak. I try to be mindful of my all-or-nothing hard wiring, and give myself credit for the little pieces that make up the whole. 

Saturday's Run For Empowerment resulted in 3.1 miles of small steps. I am not a runner. I've talked about this fact before. I have nerve damage in my right leg/foot (thank you, car accident). I have arthritis in my hip (thank you, gymnastics injury). I have asthma (thank you, slightly premature lungs). I have great reasons for not running...but they echo in my head as excuses. My bff, Becky, completed her 2nd triathlon this morning. After her first, she was telling me about the mental games that she had to play when she ran. She had to tell herself that she was a ____ if she walked...and that was motivation to keep running. Even though I know that Beck is one of my strongest supporters, the comment stung a bit. It was the same sting that I felt earlier in the year when a group of colleagues left me in the dust (literally) while running a 1/2 marathon...an event that I walked. The whiny voice in my head throws a little fit, huffing "I wanna be a runner, too!"

So, me & my whiny voice set out to do the RFE for the 3rd year. It's an organization, a cause, that I fervently believe in supporting...much like cancer survivors do the Race for a Cure, I do the Run for Empowerment as a survivor. I wanted to run it this year...or at least run most of it. I started out feeling strong. But 3.1 miles later, through a stitch in my side that lasted for a good 1/2 mile, a bloody toe (don't ask), and legs that were still feeling the pain of a brutal lunge/squat torture session...I walked more steps than I ran. Small steps....

PS. Love this kid of mine, who literally rolled out of bed & put her sneakers on while saying "wait Mom...I'll run it with you!"

Edited to add - the aforementioned physical challenges have me wondering about Vibram Five Fingers. If you've tried them, I'd love to hear your review.

one month...and counting...

Ella + SC = good times!

,

(click on the image to pick up the latest Ella e-book!)

so much.

The past few days have been such a whirlwind of activity & emotion & milestones. I know that I haven't yet processed it all. There are thoughts/observations that deserve posts of their very own, so I'll stick to more pedestrian ramblings for this post...

My parents arrived last Friday morning. Most people know that I'm from California...so they assume that my parents live there. They actually live in Oklahoma. They are both Cali natives, and we lived there for the majority of my childhood. But we also lived in Iowa and Oklahoma...where my Dad & Mom's families (respectively) live. My parents moved back to OK just after I married Hope's Dad in 1991, and have been there ever since. Anyway. Many people also assume that they would just fly up for graduation. Nope. They drove.  Three days in my Dad's snazzy new mustang. I am grateful that they took the time, and made the incredible effort, to come to visit. It meant the world to me...and to Hope. 

Graduation. The students chose who they walked with...Hope & Sarah chose to walk together. How cool is that? I think it's fantastic that they get to remember walking in with their best friend instead of some random kid whose last name lined up with theirs. The ceremony was great (except for the nasty woman behind us who was BITTER about saved seats)....the speakers were wonderful, and the air was thick with pride and happiness.  I didn't cry. I thought that I would...and I was willing to embrace that. Not a tear until much later on. 

These two take my breath away.  They are best friends, and each other's biggest cheerleaders. I am so proud of Hope...not only for finishing high school, but for being a graduate with such grace & balance & kindness. Austin has big shoes to fill when he starts high school down the road (he's grade 8 in the fall)...and I know that he will proudly identify himself as Hope's little brother. 

 more later. so much more.

drive-by posting....

Still visiting with my parents. Still trying to get through the party leftovers in the fridge. Still trying to grasp that I have a high school graduate.

:)

did I mention?...

I'm doing some writing over at Parenting Squad these days. My qualifications? Mostly that I'm fortunate to have 2 brilliant, beautiful, amazing children...neither of whom know how to make their bed. I'm looking forward to sharing thoughts...I hope you'll come along. Click on over now to read Can Family Be Friends? (closing comments here to encourage you to comment over there. hint, hint.)

a little jumpstart...

(credit)

I decided on the Farmer's Market Cleanse from the Real Food Cleansing Guide. Fruits & veggies, with a few raw nuts thrown in. No grains, meat, or dairy. I'm not giving up coffee (b/c I'm fairly sure I would kill someone w/o caffeine). I am giving up wine for 3 days (my Mom just cheered).

A quick disclaimer: I have no connection to the author of this e-book, other than the fact that I adore her blog. I bought the e-book b/c I like having a bit of structure to follow, and decided that it was a-ok for someone else to lead the way for a change.

I'm doing this cleanse b/c I want a bit of a jumpstart to whole, healthy summer eating. Back in the day, I'd do slimfast for a few days when I wanted a catalyst for a "healthy" eating plan. Not my best logic. Anyway. I envision a summer of easy breezy meals that can be tossed together & eaten on the deck. Homemade breads, freshly made pesto, fruit salads, and lots of fresh veggies.

Off to make my green smoothie....

'round here...

*winding down the school year...trying to keep up with exam schedules, kids who'd rather stay in bed, and the temptation to let them. 

*guest designing at My Mind's Eye this month
 *reading the Real Food Cleansing Guide and deciding which cleanse to try

*preparing for my parents to arrive next week

*planning to make several more of these simple bags
what are YOU up to?? 

...

in the meantime, please enjoy...

It's Not Easy Being Green

Please Sign on the Dotted Line

be good.