Re-learning to Juggle while in high heels...and leaving my side kick behind

Wow it's been a long time since my last post!  The last 3 weeks have been a whirlwind.

I started my new job on July 18th as a Marketing Director for a real estate agency and I am loving it!  To me there's nothing better than a good challenge.  Its nice to "stretch" the brain muscles again.

Besides my marketing responsibilities, part of my designated duties are to fix computer, printer, and other various office equipment issues.  By "fix" I mean rebooting, re-installing, changing settings, monitoring LAN and wireless connections, etc.  To be honest, I was a bit intimidated at the thought at first,  but I've done quite an amount of "fixing" and surprised myself as to how much I have absorbed over the years.  I have more of a creative brain - or so I thought - but my synapses start to fire when I get a call about some one's computer issue.  Its like a puzzle, and I adore puzzles - especially crossword puzzles - and use that attitude to approach the issue and master it.

The office staff is a tight knit group and have been very welcoming, helpful and personable. The agents number around 60 or so and initially I am so not good with names.   I have to have a good conversation and eye contact before I can truly recall a name.  Not so easy with so many people with busy schedules flying in and out.  Of course I have a memory like a steel trap for trivial things such as knowing every single word to every single song on my favorite album...and can belt them out at a moment's notice.  Not useful except for self entertainment while driving.



Mom where the heck
have you been all day?

Surprisingly, getting used to getting up, working a full day in an office setting and commuting has not been difficult at all.  The most difficult aspect of re-entering the work force was leaving my favorite co-worker behind.  Once I get home and am met with joyous squeaks, happy yipping, a wagging tail and a little tongue trying to reach me wherever it can; I get "the look."  The look of reproach.  Dash has it mastered.  Look at his little face and tell me you don't feel guilty!

So the groceries, cleaning the house, cooking, lawn care, laundry, etc., etc., etc.  Cram that in during the evenings and weekends - I am so not used to that.  Freelancing gave me the luxury of getting those things done because I didn't have set hours.  As long as everything I committed to was completed,  no problem.  I am lucky to have such a wonderful husband who partners with me to do all these things and he's a huge help.



Nummy treats on a restful
Sunday afternoon.



With all the running around, working and responsibilities, Sundays have been deemed the "leave me alone I want to spend time with my husband and do whatever," and we look forward to our Sundays.  

Of course that Sunday involves "doggie" activities! 

Back to high heels?

After 2.5 years of collecting unemployment, working part time jobs and freelancing in the marketing field, I have a full-time job which begins on July 18.  To say I am excited is putting it lightly.

Wisely I've spent all of my "down time" from work as a learning opportunity, attending webinars on the latest in SEO, social media marketing, and taken a few courses in .html, business ethics, and web based copy writing - all to keep me up to date and ready to hit the ground running.  Marketing strategies are becoming more and more web based and if you miss something you're at a serious disadvantage.

One of the new pairs of  high heels
I bought - love them!

High heels...to me they represent fulfillment of a "dream" for lack of a better word.  I am going to be working - in my industry to boot - and able to add value to my new employer. 

I do feel a bit anxious, but also raring to go.  I can again represent a company I am proud of and earn a paycheck based on my hard work; and contribute more equally to the income flowing into my household.

Yes, I know unemployment is there and was there when I needed it, but I always felt like I was taking a hand out.  I vowed I'd sleep in my car before I would take any further hand outs after my unemployment benefits were exhausted.  Hence my working part time at a coffee cafe', a job similar to what I did as a teenager. I am not too proud nor ever was to do any job it takes to take care of my family.

My husband has been an endless source of support - giving me pep talks during the long job search, sitting quietly in the office with me while I did some of my freelance copy writing, helping around the house.

So I am again dipping the toe of my high heeled shoe back into the marketing waters...and I'm going to love every  minute of it.

Surviving the summer while working from home


 Whew, its hot. As I type this its a scorching 91 degrees outside.

My first thoughts during the summer always roam to a visit to the shoreline, some cold iced tea, a good book, and I never forget the sunscreen.  This all changes when you work from home.

As I said in a previous post, time management is key when you work for yourself.  Nothing is going to get done if you play hooky, put on your bathing suit and run through the sprinkler; there are no co-workers to cover for you. 

Currently I have 2 projects and 1 part-time job so dedication and a good work ethic are in order.  I've always been dedicated and fiercely loyal to my employers so why should that change now that my boss is me?  That's right, it doesn't. 

Dash, my favorite co-worker

However, distractions abound - a puppy that needs attention and taken out for potty breaks, a pile of laundry beckoning me to be washed, planning for dinner, grocery shopping, mowing the lawn, etc., etc, etc.  Maybe I can teach my puppy to type - now that would be a feat and an idea for a business.  And a puppy is a great co-worker.  They are always happy to see you and are awfully cute; and they will work for kibble and a pat on the head.

Work comes first, choosing which particular project needs immediate attention and spreading my time evenly amongst my deadlines.  Plus the added need to track mileage and expenses, send invoices and confirm receipt and follow up to ensure payment.

I've become somewhat of a "hermit" for lack of a better description.  I spend my days inside at my desk, writing, researching, and processing invoices and purchase orders.  My source of outdoors is a window in front of my desk and those puppy potty breaks I mentioned. 

My feedback and employee "review" is knowing the work I've done meets approval and even exceeds expectations.  And that is enough to keep me going and striving to do the best work I can.

So next time you are sitting at your desk - be it at home or in an office - remember that shoreline, some cold iced tea, and a good book aren't going anywhere and will be ready for you when your work day is over. 

And don't forget that sunscreen!

Waving goodbye to the cafe' and lessons learned

Now that I have entered the new world of being a consultant, I was able to leave the cafe'.

I was surprised by my mixed feelings.  I was actually a bit sad, I had met so many people and forged some new friendships, one in particular I have become very close to.  And I'm grateful that after searching for some sort of a part-time job for so many months that someone hired me.

Kidding aside, the cafe' taught me some valuable lessons:

1. Don't ever think you are above something.  I never thought I was, but this definitely solidified it.
2. Money is money, it doesn't matter where it comes from.  As long as you can pay your bills, be grateful.
3. Don't ever feel too badly for yourself - there's always someone who has it tougher than you think you do or ever will.
4. Always try to learn something from every situation you're in.  Those new cash registers are pretty cool. (I can remember the ones with the actual levers and having to count back change on your own - gasp I just dated myself!)
5. Take pride in your work.  Even if its making coffee, make it to the best of your ability.  Effort - no matter how small it may seem - is always noticed and appreciated.
6. No matter how many nice people you meet, there's always a bad one that comes along.  They can ruin your day if you let them.  Words can sting, but let them bounce off of you.  Kill those people with kindness, it not only makes you the better person but it ticks them off!

I will miss the cafe' and all of the headaches that like any job, came with it.  I did enjoy training the teenagers and the daily interaction with people from all walks of life.  Heck, I even had a few people who wanted to date me - certainly not going to happen, but good for the ego!

Having a job where you are appreciated and welcome back at any time is also a comfort.  So remember, never burn any bridge, even if you can jump across the water below.

"Traffic" as a freelancer working from home

My husband faces "traffic" every weekday morning when he goes to work.  Traffic?  Ah, I remember that.  Yuck.

Gone are the days of me in my car - thankfully an automatic at the time - where I would grip the wheel out of frustration and silently whisper under my breath what I thought of the driver who cut me off.  After a while frustration was replaced with me bopping and singing along to music, oblivious to the anger and sometimes aggressiveness of those around me.  My seemingly nonchalant reaction to traffic drove my husband and everyone else I knew crazy, but after 15 years of it, I decided to make the best of my car time and belt out all those guilty pleasure songs I would be embarrassed to admit to even liking.  And no I'm not going to tell you what those songs are. 

My co-worker anxiously awaiting
my return to the office

Working from home my "traffic" consists of trying not to trip over the cat or step on the dog as they frantically fight for my attention.  Avoiding the frequent stopping and going of traffic is now averted by stuffing a series of pillows under the chair the dog always gets his toys caught under.  If I forget to set up my creative road block he whimpers and circles around my chair until I get down on all fours and rescue the toy - inconvenient if I'm in the middle of a thought or sentence, or frankly anything else.

Actually my days in my home office make a comical parallel to days in an actual office with real people.  Not animals. 

The lazy co-worker

Coffee breaks now consist of sitting on the floor and playing fetch or taking the dog out for a walk around the yard; or rescuing the cat and carrying her to a room where a playful puppy isn't trying to nibble on her toes.

Meetings now consist of me talking to myself while working out a sentence in my head.  No co-workers except the dog and human co-workers don't play with distracting squeaky toys.

Lunch is often at my desk while working.  I also did that when I worked for a company so that's actually not a major change.  But wandering down to my kitchen and standing in front of the fridge trying to decide what to make is a change.  I don't have to eat out of a paper bag, I can make an actual lunch.  And not have to spend hard-earned money on "I'll just run out this one time and get a sandwich".  Money miraculously disappears faster than you can count in this lunchtime trap; also another peril I avoid while at home.

I hope that someday I will be working in an actual office again, and I will be able to approach it with some new-found tricks...oops hold on a second.  The dog got through the pillow barrier and needs his toy back.  Ah, that's better.  My ability to stay even more disciplined and focused in order to get a good day's work in.  Approaching work with a fresher attitude and more creativity.  Enhanced communication skills from representing myself to clients. 

Would I enjoy freelancing for a living?  Yes I would.  Would I be willing to go back to a corporate environment?  Yes I would.  I'm grateful for this nice reprieve and what it's teaching me; and in today's economy exceedingly happy to have a job.

Being the "mom" at the cafe' and teaching self respect

I am older, I admit it.  I am 43 years old.  The majority of the girls I work with are my daughter's age, from 17 upwards to about 22.  So naturally I have motherly feelings toward them and treat them like my children.  "Wait honey, don't lift that its too heavy - let me help you."  "Why don't you take the cart so you can make 1 trip instead of 3?"  "Hold on, you need to let the boss know that you can't work on Sunday like you told him last week.  Don't be taken advantage of you need the day off and you requested it."  and the ever popular "Take a break honey, you need to eat."

This chatter happens every day that I work, and the girls - I think - for the most part, enjoy being "coddled".  After all, who couldn't mother a rosy-cheeked, wide eyed young lady on the path to adulthood? 

I'd like to think that I have made a small contribution to these girls by instilling a sense of responsibility and most of all, self worth by teaching them to speak up appropriately and not get walked on.  Many older adults can be condescending, especially to teenagers.  That is exactly the wrong message to send, how can young adults learn to respect their elders if we don't show them respect in kind?

I've always thought that every person should waiter/waitress for at least 6 months during their life.  Nothing teaches humility and the ability to put up with people's idiosyncrasies better than having to serve them a meal; nor does it take a self-centered, immature person long to realize they are not the center of the universe.  I waitressed and was an assistant manager at a Friendly's restaurant during my senior year in high school and during college as well.  I have an instant reaction to people who are not kind to their waiter/waitress or other people who help them such as a cashier; disgust and annoyance.  I am disappointed in their lack of manners and common sense.  Remember no matter what you do someone will be waiting on you and you will be waiting on someone.  Always treat people with respect, the way you expect to be treated.

Regardless of what type of work these girls end up doing, I hope they stand up for themselves and portray themselves as responsible, intelligent adults who are capable of handling anything that comes their way.

Juggling a job search, a part-time job, household chores and staying sane

I have never learned how to juggle but it sure looks like fun.  What is not fun and I have learned to juggle is - and am still practicing - is juggling my job search, my part-time job, and cooking and cleaning and maintaining the household.  Am I sane?  Well that depends on when you ask.

When my house is clean, I cooked a nice meal for the family, sent out a few resumes to promising job openings and finished a day of work at the cafe I feel like I've got a good handle on things.  When one of these tasks is out of whack, well then, duck and cover.

My house isn't terribly large but having 2 floors and lugging cleaning supplies and the vacuum cleaner up the stairs, it seems so...daunting.  And having a furry grey cat prone to shedding and a rambunctious 9 month old puppy who occasionally still has accidents, its a recipe for disaster.  Grey fur tumbleweeds can build quickly, even after 2 days so it seems the house constantly needs vacuuming.  And finding a "gift" from the dog in a random place is always a surprise.

Ooh, I forgot all about the laundry!