My new obsession.

My new obsession. I have a new obsession and while it surprises me- if I think really hard to my youth, I guess it is jot too surprising. Does that even make sense? My new obsession is urbaning farming. I am not even sure that is a "thing" but it's my thing now. When I was little I wanted to be a farmer or maybe just live on a farm and have someone help with all the really hard work. But regardlesss Be somewhere that I could do work and enjoy the results. I loved animals when i was young and while I had lots of animals I was very much raised NOT like a farm girl. We were surrounded by the conviences of modern life and I thrived. Now as a wife and a mom I surround my family with every modern conveince possible. Don't get me wrong we love to be outside and camp and hike but not without things to make us very comfortable in those settings (ie fans, bug spray, air matresses- the list goes on). I guess the dream of being a farm girl ended with me growing into an extroverted, like to be around people, modern, hard working- business woman. Oh and I feel in love with midtown Memphis. Until a couple of years ago I have never thought about growing my own vegetables or making any household cleaners. Or raising farm animals. People in the city don't do that- right? Not sure what changed exactly but now as we are composting, raising a garden and THINKING about having some chickens -- I wonder why I waited so long. Being in the garden with my girls is the best feeling. Showing them what we can recycle and compost and being able to eat yummy veggies right from the garden is the best feeling in the world. Now I am determined to make our own washing detergent. It can't be that hard hopefully. Famous last words I am sure. I have found lots of recipes and we plan to also make fabric softener and bug spray. Cant stop thinking of ideas maybe a cloths line next - will reduce our dryer usage for sure. Big Red thinks this city girl has lost it but I am determined. We will see how long this obsession lasts. Hopefully regardless of how long it lasts I will teach my sweet little reds skills they will keep forever. That's the whole point after all. So I am thinking about chickens-- wonder if my neighbors will care??

Today a dear friend and colleague called me a social media expert. I laughed in her face. HA! Me- not really. Just because I have a blog that I do a HORRIBLE job updating, just because I am a social media research/testing/trends -- obsessive reader slash nerd, just because I love trying to learn more about the world of social media- does NOT make me an expert. I know how to update my blog, twitter and facebook pages - I am a novice. I have allot to learn.

Who is an expert really? And why on earth would they want to admit it? The landscape of social media changes every day and the opportunities are really extensive. We don't know what we don't know.  I am a social- media learner.

I do follow allot of really smart people though in the social media universe and ran into this blog today-   This one Michele is for you.
http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/dont-call-me-an-expert/

How I learned that the small things don't matter at all.

I remember when I was in college my mom gave me a book called "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"- it was good. I read it and tried to put the things I read into practice. Not that I did a superior job at it or anything. That was over ten years ago and now one husband and two kids later- I definitely sweat the small stuff. The light in my room not working and Big Red taking forever to fix it, Little Red's teacher emailing me about something silly she did at the lunch table, Little Red #2's teachers commenting on her diva attitude, work not appreciating me (at least in my mind), my house being so old there are cracks everywhere, my car smelling like spoiled milk, my friend who made a weird comment, and the list goes on. The small stuff. The insignificant things I stress about every day. Until Thursday. When we got the call that no one wants to receive. Big Reds best friends family has been seriously injured. As life now hangs on by a thread for our dear friend, it reminds me that life is so precious and the small things don't matter. Ever. It is really sad that it took this life changing event to make me realize this but then again doesn't it always. We live our lives trying to please everyone work, family, friends and forgetting that the people you don't have to please are the ones that you should really care and focus on. It's not that we shouldn't sweat the small things - it is that we should focus only on the things that matter. I haven't blogged in years - life has just gotten in the way, but today as I sit here waiting for a text message with some news- anything that will make this situation seem a little better- i realized that this is a great outlet for me. A place where I can put my thoughts down.

Why is it always with work?

I love my job. It has been great to me and I work very hard for my job. So I am not complaining here at all. Just this complaint is because of my job.

I have stayed in some of the nicest hotels around the country (for work). I mean these places are seriously nice. The kind of places I imagine famous people staying in and reality stars coming to, to be seen. I am in California for work and staying at by far the nicest places I have ever stayed. When I road the elevator up it was with the Italian futball team (the entire team). My view is of the marina with boats (one boat being) worth more than my house and every single possession I own. Woa. This is nice, only wish Big and Little Red were here so I could experience this with them. That is the compliant. Why are all of these experiences with work and not with family. Oh well, I guess I should be grateful for at least experiencing it.

Success?

Success at Home
Not sure how you measure success when it comes to Potty training a little one. Is it by the number of accidents or number of days you are accident free? Not sure, but by all accounts, I am calling this a victory. Little Red was in full panty wearing mode day one and has never looked back. In fact she likes to point out that she is now officially a big girl (well she says "I am a bigger girl" but you get the point) and her cousin (still in diapers) is a baby. With only a few minor accidents under our belt I am completely over the trauma and stress experienced on day one. I do have to give it up for her school and their support and guidance. I was completely overwhelmed by the idea of potty training and they totally put me at ease. Now if they can help with my work schedule that would be great.

VS. Success at Work
Speaking of work, I found myself hiding in the bathroom today. Sad really, but after eight back to back meetings with a 45 minute break for breakfast/lunch and ohh about 10 people stopping at my desk with "quick questions" - I couldn't catch a break. So I just went to the bathroom and hid in the stall. This can't be a good thing. usually the bathroom is so busy and gross really that I try to avoid it. But today it provide me a relatively quite sanctuary from the chaos at work.

So let's call it victory at home, not so much at work- not today at least.

It's Potty Training Time!

I cannot believe we are at this point in Little Red's life. It doesn't seem like she is old enough or I am experienced enough but it's here. I got the word yesterday that Little Red will start wearing big girl panties at school.

I actually think school wanted to start Monday but we were out on Friday and didn’t get the note. Opps. Of course, in Little Red fashion- she did perfect at school. No accidents at all at school, but she had one accident at home last night and one this morning. She cried for like an hour when she got home yesterday so I think the pressure must be hard on her. I can't imagine going into school one day and learning you will have to change your "functions" that day. It must be weird for a little person hearing that. I tried to prep her as much as possible but who knows how she really felt. She is like an angel at school and when she gets home she just has to decompress. I just hope it’s not too much. Her brain is so full already I hope this doesn’t put her back as far as development. I am totally winging it and probably not doing the right motherly thing but I told her if she doesn’t have any accidents at school today she can have a special treat (her version of asking for candy). So she might be fat from all the candy I have promised her but at least she will be potty trained.

On another note, it has been a long time since I have posted. Not for any reason inparticular, I thnk I have just felt uninspired and been busy on top of that. Now that summer is in full swing, we have had great changes at work, and there longer sunlight in the day- I am feelng better. :)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Chad- where ever you are- I hope you are having a good time.