I Quit

Just before writing this, I was thinking about the day Jeffrey Hingston announced to our second grade class, "I Quit." Sometimes, I find myself wanting to quit my daily responsibilities, too. We start out in kindergarden being provided daily play-time and quiet-time but, somewhere along the way, those all important elements seem to be removed from the adult life curriculum. I miss play-time and the occasional mid-day nap.

My life of late seems to have become one long and ever growing "To Do" list. There's the list of things to do at work, followed by the list of things to do at home and the errands and other to do lists that spring up in between work and home. Of course, I am the person creating many of those chores, tasks, errands that pile up before my eyes - but that doesn't deminish my desire to quit - just for a little while.

Maybe, just maybe, a day off for play-time and quiet-time should be the next item on my

"to do" list.

Confessions of a Procrastinator.

A procrastinator, by definition, is one who intentionally and habitually puts off the doing of something that should be done. I am an excellent procrastinator.

I prepare wonderful "to do" lists. I thoroughly research any and all published materials on whatever the project might be - from weight loss to home de-cluttering. I create detailed plans, outlining exactly what steps I intend to follow to reach my goal. But, I truly excel at finding ways to avoid just sticking to one thing at a time, until the goal is reached or the project is finished. In fact, I am convinced my multiple project approach to personal goals in life is one sure fire way to never get anything done.

I've made promises to myself. "today is when I am going to change". I've read countless inspirational books on how to take control of my life, how to focus my energy on specific goals, how to send out powerful messages to the universe - and yet, day after day, week after week, I find myself sliding back into my the comfort of mediocrity. It's like, talking about preparing for the "Big Game," all the while hoping you never actually get called in to play.

So, what's my real problem? Am I not truly committed to achieving my goals? Am I not really serious about living a clutter free life, losing weight, achieving financial milestones, improving my self-image? I sure think I am. But, every now and then, I cannot help but ask myself, "is there really anything wrong with just being an under-achiever?"

I would still like to achieve some of my loftier goals - to enjoy the feeling of a serene, clutter-free home - to experience being physically fit and height/weight proportionate. I have been successful in learning to be a happier person by simply choosing to be so.

I just want to put out there, if someone truly has found the way - the true path that leads to personal enlightenment, weight loss, tidiness and brings all good things - I am here, ready to join you and happy to learn all I can from your wisdom!

The Parents are coming! The Parents are coming!

My parents arrive today and I'm happily anticipating their arrival. It's their annual trip for what I refer to as Senior Spring Break. Since their house in on the market and their future plans are to move here, this may be my last year hosting them for a month. I think we all hope this will be their last "visit" before becoming residents in town.

I am surprisingly calm this year. Normally, I wrap myself up in a flurry of home improvements, spring cleaning and meal preparations that keep me up until the wee hours of the morning just before their flight lands. Working 2 jobs (I was hired on as permanent part time after my seasonal sales associate stint from November to January at Macy's) has left me little time to keep up with my own laundry, let alone multiple "to do" list projects - so perhaps that is the key, not having enough time to think about what you'd like to do before company arrives.

I did carve out some time to pot a few pansies and 2 small rosemary plants with pretty pale blue flowers in my garden, to give my patio a touch of spring color. If the unseasonal rain finally stops, they should be able to enjoy the normally dry and sunny outdoors expected in the Arizona desert.

Growing up, we lived close to our grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins. We saw them often and you simply learn to take seeing family for granted. That is, until you move. Having made the move 6 years ago from a life centered in the Eastern United States, moving to Arizona is like another world. The climate is so different, there is no ocean, and for me - no immediate family. Telephone calls and e-mails help to keep me in touch with family members, but is not the same as seeing them more than once a year. So, I am looking forward to the time when my parents are just around the corner and spending time with them on a Saturday, or popping in for a free home-cooked meal (yes, Mom, that's what I'm most looking forward to!) after work is an experience I cannot wait to enjoy.

So, here's to the parents! May this truly be their last visit as out of towners.

Celebrating Sisters

My sister's birthday is right after the New Year - January 2nd to be precise. Finding the right gift for my sister isn't easy. But this year, I think I hit a home run. My sister is specific about her wants and needs. I searched for a suitable gift for her tastes and my wallet and this year, from the feedback I received from my sister, I think I find the perfect combination.

Of my sisters many traits and talents, she is an avid reader and writer. While shopping on http://www.theliteracysite.com/ store, under the Gifts That Give More section, I found I could make a donation that would send 2 girls to school in Afghanistan for a Year. The ad mentioned the Central Asia Institute, a non-profit organization supporting community-based education program in Central Asia. Wanting more information, I went online to http://www.ikat.org/ to learn more. It was during that process, I learned about Greg Mortenson, the CAI, and a book entitled, Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace, One School At A Time. Satisfied that this was a cause my sister would most certainly support, I made a donation in her name and purchased a copy of the book, which I had shipped to her house.

I was thrilled to hear from my sister when the book arrived. Apparently, the book was already on her "to read" list. I was more excited to learn how touched she was learning about the donation to send the 2 girls to school. As we chatted back and forth online, she wrote to me exactly what I was thinking - we both hope the two girls they send to school with our donation are sisters.

Happy Birthday, Sis!

Farmville Is Taking Over My Life

A few months ago, I reconnected with a college friend through Facebook. I rarely accessed the site, that is until this college friend suggested I join in on this virtual farming game. In just a few short weeks, I now sign on twice daily to visit my Farm, harvest crops, tend to the animals and visit my Farmville neighbors to help out on their farms!

I turn on my laptop before I leave for my morning walk, so I can tend to my farm before work... even my neighbor has gotten into the act, spending a few extra minutes after our walk tending to my farm. My return home after work follows a similar routine. You couldn't PAY me to work this hard on a real farm, but virtual farming takes a few minutes a day and the payoff - rewards and farmville cash to be spent on acquiring more stuff for your farm keeps you coming back for more...

As if Farmville wasn't bad enough - another friend who became a neighbor on Farmville coerced me to try my hand at Cafe World, also through Facebook. I've yet to get the hang of it (in fact, my first "medal" was for ruining several consecutive meals as the cook at my restaurant), but I've managed to do well enough to add a 2nd helper and feed a few customers.

I'm not sure how long it will be before I decided to close the cafe or abandon the farm - but for now, I'm happy to spend a few minutes each day in a place that reminds me being a good neighbor, taking care of the environment and taking pride in my work comes with countless rewards in this life! See you 'round, neighbor.

Gummi Vitamin Fan!

I don't know who created the first vitamin in "gummi" form, but let me tell you - I am their biggest fan. I've struggled with taking any supplements and medications in pill form for my entire life. I've never consistently taken a multi-vitamin, until now. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my gummi vitamins.

New Year's Resolutions

Okay. I'm not a fan of making New Year's resolutions that never seem to take hold - but I have renewed my commitment to continue to work towards meeting and achieving goals I set for myself during the past year.

First on that list is commitment to my health and well-being. For me, this means getting serious about losing some weight by making the following life changes: replacing bad food habits with good ones, exercising more - adding some strength training and increasing overall daily acitivity and learning to control emotions so they do not derail any progress I make.

Another resolve is to finish the much-dreaded office organization project (which has been on hiatus for months) and re-tackle those areas at home where my prior efforts have not been mainained. I do believe conquering the clutter at home will go a long way to helping reduce the stressful feelings and free my focus to healther pursuits (like number my number 1 goal above).
Wish me luck in my endeavors!