What will this summer behold? Last summer I had all six kids at home. We even had a few nights where all of us were sitting at the dinner table together. But since two of my girls have been away all school year, and the two boys are off doing there own grown-up things, its rare for us to have even four of us home for dinner. We've had to adjust the amount of food that is made. And its not the same without everyone.
Things change.
I'm proud of my girls!!
Anika is about to complete her junior year at Flagler college. Its been a journey for her, to figure out what degree she really wants to have when she graduates. It started out as psychology with a minor in art, but thanks to an awful psychology teacher during her second semester, she decided it was not for her. She became "undecided" for another year and a half, and then landed on international studies as her declared major (with a minor in art). Finally, at the end of her first semester of the junior year, it was decided. This was very exciting for her. She would need to complete a study abroad program in order to finish her degree plan, which didn't leave much time, as the school recommend not doing that during your final year of school. So it was going to have to take place this summer and January 30th was the deadline for applying for the study abroad program of choice. We found a program independently, and it was going to be an amazing (if not expensive) educational and spiritual adventure. We were all very excited... until the committee at her school turned it down. Sadness!! With that news, it was too late to find another study abroad option, so she decided to switch her degree plan to political science (with a minor in art). She would be able to finish on time by taking the additional summer term over the next six weeks. Its all very exciting!
Honestly, Anika probably should have gone with art as her major from the beginning. Her artwork is fantastic and she loves it. She's also great with languages and really has a passion to travel. Who knows what is in store for this girl?! There is so much potential.
Jennah is finishing her first year at Oral Roberts University. Its both Terry's and my alma mater. We loved it there. She loves it there. She's studying musical theatre and seems very content with her course study. Of course, I don't hear much from her ALL YEAR!!! ...a few texts... maybe 2-3 phone calls PER SEMESTER!!!! I miss her, and will be happy to have her home, but she is my super independent child. I have a few other kids like her. Actually, all my kids are all pretty independent. It kind of depends on their various stages in life. Some like to stay in touch more than others. I don't know whether to be happy or sad that they don't need me so much. Of course, that comes in stages, too. But I've definitely done my best together with Terry to teach them how to grow up and become independent.
Its a weird point in life for me. I still have two younger ones in middle and high school. Those two don't need a huge amount of constant attention. But they are growing up so fast. Liz will be a senior this next year and Caleigh will be in 8th grade. Even though all of my kids are still somewhat financially dependent, its getting very close for a few of them to be completely on their own (being on your own in the Hamptons in nearly impossible! for all of us). I don't want an empty nest (especially if that means I am the one responsible to clean the whole house). AGHHHHHH!!! I don't mind a few of them living with us indefinitely--they can pay rent and even get married and have some grand babies. Wouldn't it be fun? Hahah
So Jennah comes home this weekend. YAY! And at the end of June I fly down to Anika in FL, to drive back with her. We are going to IN to visit family and then the summer will really be kicking in. We expect some visit from family over the summer. Fun times. Hope the septic tank holds after 15 years. LOL.
Friday, October 16
Thursday, October 15
My Juggling Act
Today
I'm a mom getting kids ready for school and dog walker from 6:15-7:45.
I'm a substitute teacher from 7:45-2:45.
I'm a mom and dog walker again and hopefully a napper from 2:45-4:45. (Oh and brownie maker because I promised the American Pop class that if they learned a few "Cakewalk" dance moves from the internet they could win a piece of cake--but in this case a brownie).
I'm a music director and performer for The Fantasticks from 5:00-9:45. I would be a party-time karaoke singer after the showfrom 10:00-12:00 if I didn't have to be a sub again in the morning. Wah wah. (I was looking forward to karaoke again this week but I should restrain myself).
Dog walker. Napper.
Tomorrow is the same.
Saturday
add housework and much needed yard work. Kids. Dogs. Maybe some sleep. Then music director/performer from 5:30-10:30.
Dogs.
Sunday
I'm church musician and church treasurer (bookkeeping) from 9-11:30 and then music director/performer for the final run from 12-5. And a cast party afterwards.
Dogs.
Monday
Dogs. Kids.
Then sales clerk/barrista & bookkeeper at Sylvester & Co from 8:30-3:00.
Dogs. Kids. Community House office stuff.
Tuesday
Bookkeeping and Community house office work. Dogs. Nap. Food. Then CRASH!
Looking very forward to the upcoming vacation!!!!!!!!!
I'm a mom getting kids ready for school and dog walker from 6:15-7:45.
I'm a substitute teacher from 7:45-2:45.
I'm a mom and dog walker again and hopefully a napper from 2:45-4:45. (Oh and brownie maker because I promised the American Pop class that if they learned a few "Cakewalk" dance moves from the internet they could win a piece of cake--but in this case a brownie).
I'm a music director and performer for The Fantasticks from 5:00-9:45. I would be a party-time karaoke singer after the showfrom 10:00-12:00 if I didn't have to be a sub again in the morning. Wah wah. (I was looking forward to karaoke again this week but I should restrain myself).
Dog walker. Napper.
Tomorrow is the same.
Saturday
add housework and much needed yard work. Kids. Dogs. Maybe some sleep. Then music director/performer from 5:30-10:30.
Dogs.
Sunday
I'm church musician and church treasurer (bookkeeping) from 9-11:30 and then music director/performer for the final run from 12-5. And a cast party afterwards.
Dogs.
Monday
Dogs. Kids.
Then sales clerk/barrista & bookkeeper at Sylvester & Co from 8:30-3:00.
Dogs. Kids. Community House office stuff.
Tuesday
Bookkeeping and Community house office work. Dogs. Nap. Food. Then CRASH!
Looking very forward to the upcoming vacation!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, April 16
Professionalism--The Journey
professional |prəˈfeSHənl| nouna person engaged or qualified in a profession• a person engaged in a specified activity, especially a sport or branch of the performing arts, as a main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.• a person competent or skilled in a particular activity
professionalism |prəˈfeSHənlˌizəm| nounthe competence or skill expected of a professional • the practicing of an activity, especially a sport, byprofessional rather than amateur players
I run across many types of people in my circle. My every day life easily flows between a professional and amateur world and I must appreciate both in order to be successful. Its an interesting life, an interesting culture, and I'm regularly intrigued by the people around me. Sometimes I'm annoyed by stupid people, but that doesn't negate my fascination with them. It quite possibly escalates my curiosity (unless I'm super busy, or hormonal, or sleep deprived). There are a few people I've been recently been dealing with who seriously need a throat punch, but I'll save that for another day! Today we are taking a look at the "journey to professionalism" where throat punching could be a serious obstacle.
My lengthy struggle to understand whether I could be considered a professional or not began in my 20s- post-college. My confusion came with the fact that I threw my entire life and skill set into a church organization right after graduation and marriage. It was something I loved and enjoyed, but it was completely voluntary i.e. without pay. There was very little realization by those around me of my competence, partly because #1. I was a female (not even kidding that this was an issue), #2. I was in my 20s (young and dumb? definitely rough around the edges), #3. I started having children at 23 (pregnancy didn't stop me from anything, but it held others at bay), and #4. I chose to walk humbly along (most of the time), offering my time, energy and expertise, purely as an offering to God.
Years later, after gaining tons of experience, some maturity, and depth on many, many levels, my world is very different. It took a long time for me to understand my true value in the professional world. It took a few run-ins and "misunderstandings" to see the vast difference in MY sense of professionalism in comparison to certain others who were being paid for a job but proving very incompetent for the position. While this realization was going on for me, it felt like an injustice to see employer-types settling for crap. I was dumbfounded and outraged even, but I would look for ways to (voluntarily) support and help, just to be sure the product was decent in the end. But to see the incompetence continue was enough to finally push me over the edge, into the professional world. It was time to express my desire to be hired for jobs and produce something better. And so I was. It felt great. It still feels great. Many times its a road of stress and anxiety, but I'm learning how to relax. I will never be quite as good as I want to be, however, the people who hire me LOVE my work, both my dedication and the quality. They see that I have a way with people and have great productivity, so, that has helped me to be ok with myself and actually be proud of my work.
The process of becoming who I am today is real. Its tangible. Its interesting (if only to me). I'm captured with people's progression in life. I've learned to be patient and believe that God makes His way into the hearts of His children--through the good times and through the bad.
I have prospects for the future that keep my path in an ever-unpredictable state. It continues to be challenging and never the same, year after year. I would get bored and complacent. That's who I am and how I'm wired. I am reliable and consistent, but also open to change, as life unveils the next step.
What's your story?
professionalism |prəˈfeSHənlˌizəm| nounthe competence or skill expected of a professional • the practicing of an activity, especially a sport, byprofessional rather than amateur players
I run across many types of people in my circle. My every day life easily flows between a professional and amateur world and I must appreciate both in order to be successful. Its an interesting life, an interesting culture, and I'm regularly intrigued by the people around me. Sometimes I'm annoyed by stupid people, but that doesn't negate my fascination with them. It quite possibly escalates my curiosity (unless I'm super busy, or hormonal, or sleep deprived). There are a few people I've been recently been dealing with who seriously need a throat punch, but I'll save that for another day! Today we are taking a look at the "journey to professionalism" where throat punching could be a serious obstacle.
My lengthy struggle to understand whether I could be considered a professional or not began in my 20s- post-college. My confusion came with the fact that I threw my entire life and skill set into a church organization right after graduation and marriage. It was something I loved and enjoyed, but it was completely voluntary i.e. without pay. There was very little realization by those around me of my competence, partly because #1. I was a female (not even kidding that this was an issue), #2. I was in my 20s (young and dumb? definitely rough around the edges), #3. I started having children at 23 (pregnancy didn't stop me from anything, but it held others at bay), and #4. I chose to walk humbly along (most of the time), offering my time, energy and expertise, purely as an offering to God.
Years later, after gaining tons of experience, some maturity, and depth on many, many levels, my world is very different. It took a long time for me to understand my true value in the professional world. It took a few run-ins and "misunderstandings" to see the vast difference in MY sense of professionalism in comparison to certain others who were being paid for a job but proving very incompetent for the position. While this realization was going on for me, it felt like an injustice to see employer-types settling for crap. I was dumbfounded and outraged even, but I would look for ways to (voluntarily) support and help, just to be sure the product was decent in the end. But to see the incompetence continue was enough to finally push me over the edge, into the professional world. It was time to express my desire to be hired for jobs and produce something better. And so I was. It felt great. It still feels great. Many times its a road of stress and anxiety, but I'm learning how to relax. I will never be quite as good as I want to be, however, the people who hire me LOVE my work, both my dedication and the quality. They see that I have a way with people and have great productivity, so, that has helped me to be ok with myself and actually be proud of my work.
The process of becoming who I am today is real. Its tangible. Its interesting (if only to me). I'm captured with people's progression in life. I've learned to be patient and believe that God makes His way into the hearts of His children--through the good times and through the bad.
I have prospects for the future that keep my path in an ever-unpredictable state. It continues to be challenging and never the same, year after year. I would get bored and complacent. That's who I am and how I'm wired. I am reliable and consistent, but also open to change, as life unveils the next step.
What's your story?
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