On Friday, Helena board a plane to Old Orchard Beach, Maine to visit the Andrews clan. Things have been going non-stop since my last "vacation" in the summer of 2010. I put that in quotes because while it was a vacation from work, we drove to Alabama from Maryland and back and I was dealing with drama at the community theater that I was artistic director for at that time. So, really not a vacation.
This time I am planning to make it a true vacation. I've booked us a non-stop flight to Portland, Maine - flight is only 1 hr and 30 min which is less time than it takes to drive to Virginia from Silver Spring some days - and I'm going to "unplug" while I am away.
I've been reading about unplugged vacations online and many of the articles is about unplugging from everything - even electricity. For me, unplugging means turning off the cell phone and not going on the computer.
While these two things make it easier to stay "connected" I really don't think they connect us in anything more than a superficial way. The exception is actually talking on the phone. Sure you can learn a lot from the person you're talking to online, but there are so many things you get when you talk in person or on the phone that texting, IMing, Facebooking, and Tweeting just can't give you.
It's so easy to multitask conversations when they are done electronically - it's much harder to do when you've got someone on the phone or in front of you. This requires us to actually focus on the conversation and streamline our thoughts. This is a very hard thing for me to do anyway since my mind is always racing - it's also hard because I'm better at communicating through the written word than verbally. But that's a whole other blog post. Back to unplugging...
After a little sit down with my friends Sara, Jessica and Tim, I've decided to follow their advice and unplug while I'm on this vacation. From the time I get to my Grammy's house in Old Orchard Beach to the time I touch down in Baltimore I will be unplugged. No cell phone and no computer.
I don't include TV on this list simply because I'm the mother of an almost 4 year old and I'm sure we will be watching some movie at some point.
I must admit that I am a bit nervous about a whole week being offline and unreachable except to those who know my Grammy's phone number, but at the same time I'm looking forward to being able to focus my thoughts and be more in the moment. I've got a lot to process, plan and look forward to discovering on this trip.
I'll report how it goes when I get back and plug back in to the Matrix.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
And We're Off
Last week I signed up to become a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant (#12 on my 101 in 1,001 list)! My motivation for taking on this business on top of everything else I have going on in my life is two fold:
1. I want to be able to live in a specific apartment complex when we move out so Helena can go to elementary school next to her current preschool and go to their after-school care. With so much change going on, I want her to have some consistency. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to be stressed out about money because everything I've been reading says stressed out moms = stressed out kids.
2. I love Mary Kay skin care products and really do think that (in addition to good genes) using Mary Kay is the reason all the women in my mom's family look so young! My Aunt Margaret (who is also a Mary Kay consultant) told me at a very young age that moisturizing is key to healthy skin and, even when I've veered into CVS for my skin care products, I've always kept this in mind. Also, helping other women feel their best and keep their skin healthy is a constant reminder for me to take care of myself. Helena needs a mommy who takes care of herself so she is whole and can take care of her.
I'm part of a great team led by Megan Herold. Within a few hours after I signed up her husband, yep he's super excited about Mary Kay, emailed me this great jump start my business email with some great things that Megan came up with for every new consultant to do in the first 7 days...and when I do this and place my first order I get a ring. Yes, I know that might be silly motivation for some of you, but I would never buy myself "good" jewelry so why not do it and kick start a business that helps me with my other goals and get some bling. I also received a packet in the mail from her with tips on what to do to have my business "Thriving" in 30 days.
In addition to all this, my co-worker Madeline Russell is here to help as well. She's really active and wants to find out everything there is so she can grow her business and wants to bring me along for the ride.We've already watched part of a training DVD and will try again when my DVD player and Helena cooperate.
I know it's up to me to make this work and reach my goals, but I think the support I'm going to get from these ladies and the many people in my life that want to see my succeed will be a big help.
1. I want to be able to live in a specific apartment complex when we move out so Helena can go to elementary school next to her current preschool and go to their after-school care. With so much change going on, I want her to have some consistency. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't going to be stressed out about money because everything I've been reading says stressed out moms = stressed out kids.
2. I love Mary Kay skin care products and really do think that (in addition to good genes) using Mary Kay is the reason all the women in my mom's family look so young! My Aunt Margaret (who is also a Mary Kay consultant) told me at a very young age that moisturizing is key to healthy skin and, even when I've veered into CVS for my skin care products, I've always kept this in mind. Also, helping other women feel their best and keep their skin healthy is a constant reminder for me to take care of myself. Helena needs a mommy who takes care of herself so she is whole and can take care of her.
I'm part of a great team led by Megan Herold. Within a few hours after I signed up her husband, yep he's super excited about Mary Kay, emailed me this great jump start my business email with some great things that Megan came up with for every new consultant to do in the first 7 days...and when I do this and place my first order I get a ring. Yes, I know that might be silly motivation for some of you, but I would never buy myself "good" jewelry so why not do it and kick start a business that helps me with my other goals and get some bling. I also received a packet in the mail from her with tips on what to do to have my business "Thriving" in 30 days.
In addition to all this, my co-worker Madeline Russell is here to help as well. She's really active and wants to find out everything there is so she can grow her business and wants to bring me along for the ride.We've already watched part of a training DVD and will try again when my DVD player and Helena cooperate.
I know it's up to me to make this work and reach my goals, but I think the support I'm going to get from these ladies and the many people in my life that want to see my succeed will be a big help.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
A New World
Lots has happened since my last entry almost three years ago. I have a new and very satisfying job, my daughter is almost four years old, I am now separated and by January 2013 I will be a single mother living with her daughter in a new place. So, what better time to come up with 101 things to achieve/do again over the next three years.
Health
1. Complete the Tracy Anderson 30-Day Workout...in 45 Days. (0/45)
2. Get a massage
3. No fast food for a month (0/30)
4. Enroll in a performance dance class
5. Go on a hike
6. Complete a half-marathon in less time than the last one I ran (NOTE: Need to figure out how slow I ran that thing)
7. Obtain a healthy BMI
8. Drink eight glasses of water every day for a week (COMPLETED 2/1/12)
9. Eat vegetarian for a month (COMPLETED 2/1/12)
10. Ride a bike
11. Get at least 8 hours of sleep for a week (0/7)
Finances
12. Start my Mary Kay business (COMPLETED 11/23/11)
13. Schedule three Mary Kay parties per month for three months (0/9)
14. Pay off all credit card debt
15. Write my will
16. Start contributing to my 403b Plan
17. Figure out what to do with my two old 401K plans
18. Save enough money to pay first month/last month's rent and buy furniture for new place WITHOUT using credit cards
19. Bring my lunch to work for a month (0/31)
Relationships
20. Plan one fun trip or project to do each month with Helena on the weekends for a year (0/12)
21. Call my parents once a week three months (0/12)
22. Visit my grandparents at least once a month for a year (0/12)
23. Have friends over to my place and cook them dinner (Completed)
24. Host a theme party (Completed)
25. Host a game night
26. Host a Girl's Night
27. Give a friend or family member a gift for no reason
28. Eat dinner at the table during the weeknights for a month (2/31)
Travel/Outings
29. Take Helena to Disney World (Planned 12/28/13)
30. Go camping
31. Go on a road trip with no specific destination
32. Go on a picnic
33. Visit a local winery
34. Go to a country I've never been to before
35. Go on a beach vacation (COMPLETED Summer 2012)
36. Visit a friend in a state I haven't visited before
37. Visit 3 museums I've never been to before (0/3)
38. Watch the sunrise over the Ocean (Atlantic or Pacific)
39. Drive through the Shenandoah mountains in the Fall
Projects
40. Sew Helena's Halloween costume
41. Sew my Halloween costume (COMPLETED 10/31/12)
42. Install a storm door on the back door of the house before next summer
43. Design and build a doll house (COMPLETED 10/8/12)
44. Buy a good camera and take a photo every day for a month (0/31)
45. Update my blog as I complete this list
Self improvement/Well Being
46. Don't complain about anything for a week (0/7)
47. Sing for a half hour every day for 2 weeks (0/14)
48. Join a choir
49. Dance around the house every day for a month (0/31)
50. Learn to drive manual transmission
51. Spend an entire day outside
52. Learn how to meditate and do it every day for 2 weeks (0/14)
53. Be facebook-free for a week (0/7)
54. Have an “unplugged” vacation
55. Write down my worst memories on a paper and then burn the paper
56. Declutter the house one room at a time (0/11)
57. Read three biographies or autobiographies (1/3)
58. Do yoga before bed every night for a week (0/7)
59. Eat breakfast or lunch outside every day for a week (0/7)
60. Write one poem a day for a month (0/31)
61. Declare one night a week phone and computer free for a month (0/4)
62. Budget for Frank at PRatPartners to cut and dye my hair at least 3 times in a year (1/3)
63. Make time to give myself a manicure and pedicure at home once a week for a month (0/4)
Entertainment/Culture
64. Attend an opera performance at the MET
65. Listen to a song by a new artist every day for a month (0/31)
66. Learn to make Sushi and Indian Curry
67. See a Broadway show (COMPLETED Summer 2013 - 2 shows)
68. Make a playlist of my 101 favorite songs
69. Buy a unique piece of art
70. Hear Beethoven's Violin Concerto live
71. Go to a dance concert
72. Go to a Art Gallery exhibit opening
73. See three films during Filmfest DC
74. Attend one of the larger local Greek Festivals
75. Attend Passport DC and go to at least three embassies
76. Hear Schubert's Trout Quintet live
77. Attend one DC street festival
Community/Environment/Random Acts of Kindness
78. Volunteer at Helena's school (Scheduled for 2/8/12)
79. Put change in someone's parking meter that's about to expire
80. Donate 2 boxes or bags of my things to charity
81. Pay for a stranger in line behind me
82. Hug at least one person every day for a month (0/31)
83. Compliment someone every day for a week (0/7)
84. Only spend money on local businesses for a week (0/7)
85. When voting in the 2012 election, know what all the candidates stand for and be truly informed on every person I'm voting for (COMPLETED 11/6/12)
Fun for the Sake of Fun
86. Make a snow angel
87. Participate in a poker night
88. Jump into a body of water fully clothed
89. Spend an entire day in my Pjs reading books and eating only junk food (COMPLETED Summer 2012)
90. Ride a roller coaster
91. Swim in the ocean
92. Eat at 15 restaurants I've never eaten at before, photograph and review them (0/15)
93. Play in a flag football game
94. Go to a batting cage
95. Go to a driving range
96. Climb a tree
97. Do a science experiment with Helena
98. Learn Archery (with Oliver Queen would be a plus)
99. Dance outside in the rain
100. Burst into song and dance in some random place outside of work or home
101. Go swing dancing
All these things to be completed between November 19, 2011 and August 16, 2014.
Health
1. Complete the Tracy Anderson 30-Day Workout...in 45 Days. (0/45)
2. Get a massage
3. No fast food for a month (0/30)
4. Enroll in a performance dance class
5. Go on a hike
6. Complete a half-marathon in less time than the last one I ran (NOTE: Need to figure out how slow I ran that thing)
7. Obtain a healthy BMI
8. Drink eight glasses of water every day for a week (COMPLETED 2/1/12)
9. Eat vegetarian for a month (COMPLETED 2/1/12)
10. Ride a bike
11. Get at least 8 hours of sleep for a week (0/7)
Finances
12. Start my Mary Kay business (COMPLETED 11/23/11)
13. Schedule three Mary Kay parties per month for three months (0/9)
14. Pay off all credit card debt
15. Write my will
16. Start contributing to my 403b Plan
17. Figure out what to do with my two old 401K plans
18. Save enough money to pay first month/last month's rent and buy furniture for new place WITHOUT using credit cards
19. Bring my lunch to work for a month (0/31)
Relationships
20. Plan one fun trip or project to do each month with Helena on the weekends for a year (0/12)
21. Call my parents once a week three months (0/12)
22. Visit my grandparents at least once a month for a year (0/12)
23. Have friends over to my place and cook them dinner (Completed)
24. Host a theme party (Completed)
25. Host a game night
26. Host a Girl's Night
27. Give a friend or family member a gift for no reason
28. Eat dinner at the table during the weeknights for a month (2/31)
Travel/Outings
29. Take Helena to Disney World (Planned 12/28/13)
30. Go camping
31. Go on a road trip with no specific destination
32. Go on a picnic
33. Visit a local winery
34. Go to a country I've never been to before
35. Go on a beach vacation (COMPLETED Summer 2012)
36. Visit a friend in a state I haven't visited before
37. Visit 3 museums I've never been to before (0/3)
38. Watch the sunrise over the Ocean (Atlantic or Pacific)
39. Drive through the Shenandoah mountains in the Fall
Projects
40. Sew Helena's Halloween costume
41. Sew my Halloween costume (COMPLETED 10/31/12)
42. Install a storm door on the back door of the house before next summer
43. Design and build a doll house (COMPLETED 10/8/12)
44. Buy a good camera and take a photo every day for a month (0/31)
45. Update my blog as I complete this list
Self improvement/Well Being
46. Don't complain about anything for a week (0/7)
47. Sing for a half hour every day for 2 weeks (0/14)
48. Join a choir
49. Dance around the house every day for a month (0/31)
50. Learn to drive manual transmission
51. Spend an entire day outside
52. Learn how to meditate and do it every day for 2 weeks (0/14)
53. Be facebook-free for a week (0/7)
54. Have an “unplugged” vacation
55. Write down my worst memories on a paper and then burn the paper
56. Declutter the house one room at a time (0/11)
57. Read three biographies or autobiographies (1/3)
58. Do yoga before bed every night for a week (0/7)
59. Eat breakfast or lunch outside every day for a week (0/7)
60. Write one poem a day for a month (0/31)
61. Declare one night a week phone and computer free for a month (0/4)
62. Budget for Frank at PRatPartners to cut and dye my hair at least 3 times in a year (1/3)
63. Make time to give myself a manicure and pedicure at home once a week for a month (0/4)
Entertainment/Culture
64. Attend an opera performance at the MET
65. Listen to a song by a new artist every day for a month (0/31)
66. Learn to make Sushi and Indian Curry
67. See a Broadway show (COMPLETED Summer 2013 - 2 shows)
68. Make a playlist of my 101 favorite songs
69. Buy a unique piece of art
70. Hear Beethoven's Violin Concerto live
71. Go to a dance concert
72. Go to a Art Gallery exhibit opening
73. See three films during Filmfest DC
74. Attend one of the larger local Greek Festivals
75. Attend Passport DC and go to at least three embassies
76. Hear Schubert's Trout Quintet live
77. Attend one DC street festival
Community/Environment/Random Acts of Kindness
78. Volunteer at Helena's school (Scheduled for 2/8/12)
79. Put change in someone's parking meter that's about to expire
80. Donate 2 boxes or bags of my things to charity
81. Pay for a stranger in line behind me
82. Hug at least one person every day for a month (0/31)
83. Compliment someone every day for a week (0/7)
84. Only spend money on local businesses for a week (0/7)
85. When voting in the 2012 election, know what all the candidates stand for and be truly informed on every person I'm voting for (COMPLETED 11/6/12)
Fun for the Sake of Fun
86. Make a snow angel
87. Participate in a poker night
88. Jump into a body of water fully clothed
89. Spend an entire day in my Pjs reading books and eating only junk food (COMPLETED Summer 2012)
90. Ride a roller coaster
91. Swim in the ocean
92. Eat at 15 restaurants I've never eaten at before, photograph and review them (0/15)
93. Play in a flag football game
94. Go to a batting cage
95. Go to a driving range
96. Climb a tree
97. Do a science experiment with Helena
98. Learn Archery (with Oliver Queen would be a plus)
99. Dance outside in the rain
100. Burst into song and dance in some random place outside of work or home
101. Go swing dancing
All these things to be completed between November 19, 2011 and August 16, 2014.
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