It Is What It Is

Welcome to Double Digits!

Happy Birthday to Youngest!  Today she is 10 years old!

 

It's hard to believe that she is getting to be this old.  She's on the verge of so many things...still a little girl who likes to do little girl things- but on the cusp of being too old to for so many other things.  Plus she's the last....Here she is with Sissy (Eldest) who's about to celebrate a monumental birthday herself in a month...

 

It doesn't seem all that long ago that she was like this....

 

This was when she turned 6 and was in kindergarten- I can't even think about before then!  Oh my- does the time go by...

Happy Birthday, Youngest....I love you!

My Surprise Gynecology Appointment

Let me start out by saying that a good deal of the time, I fly by the seat of my pants.  That being said, I will also say that I'm an organized person, to the extent that I usually know where I should be or any one of my children should be at any given time.  That wasn't the case this morning.  This morning, I had a case of the universe aligning to ensure that I got to an appointment on time.  An appointment, that I didn't have written on my calendar.  

Let me explain.  Several months ago, while out working, I happened to be in the same office building of my gynecologist.  Since I was overdue on my annual exam, I thought I would walk myself up to the office and schedule the appointment.  I was sent directly back to the area where the doctor's assistant desk was located to schedule.  While waiting for this person to return, I noticed photos posted on the wall of kids I recognized.  Clearly, this assistant was someone I knew, but didn't know they worked for my doctor.  This unnerved me.   Now, please don't judge  me, but there are certain areas of my life that are an open book and there are areas that I think are better left a little private.  This person is an acquaintance who I would rather not have access to my private medical records.  Not that I think they'll do anything with them, I just prefer keeping certain aspects of my life separate.  I suppose, if I had met this person at the office and then became friends with them instead of knowing them and then finding out they were now working at an office I had been going to for over 10 years, I might feel differently.  All this being said, I got a little jumpy about my appointment and kind of put it on the back burner of my brain.  (Also, the appointment was not for several more months- so I had plenty of time to stew over this new situation.) 

Being the Scarlett O'Hara that I am, I didn't think about it.  In my mind, the appointment was not until late Spring.  I wouldn't worry about how I would handle the appointment until  much later.  Jump ahead to this morning.  I'm running late, I'm trying to get the kids out the door and to school.  I remember that I have a letter to mail, go to grab the last stamp in a book that I had set on the kitchen windowsill, and in order to save steps, remember I have another book of stamps in the car I can use.  I get in the car, start looking through the stack of miscellaneous business cards, receipts, etc  that I have placed in an unused cup holder, knowing I placed the stamps there as well.  What do you think fell out first?  My appointment card with the V-Jay-Jay doctor for March 24, 2009 at 8:00 A.M.    It is now 7:20 A.M.  The universe was slapping me upside the head and down the other.  Now, there wasn't time to think about it. 

Did I mention I was running late?  My thought process this morning was, throw on the clothes, take the kids to school, come back and finish getting ready.  Now there wasn't time.  I couldn't cancel my appointment  at the last moment.  One, it's just rude.  Two, I had waited a long time for this appointment.  Three, because I forgot, I had much less time to stress over my acquaintance getting a peep show at my ChiChi. 

Now, I don't know about the rest of ya'll, but I have a little routine I generally like to follow before visiting the gynecologist.  A checklist of grooming musts that I like to perform.  I always schedule the first appointment of the morning to ensure freshness, if you get my drift.  Next, I like to make sure my legs and armpits are shaved.  Legs moisturized and toes looking pretty. I also like to do a little trimming, landscaping if you will....this morning, not so much.....on any of it!

Well, Scarlett, I don't give a damn was the message the universe sent me...so off I went.  Not even in my good underwear.   Doesn't matter, they were coming off as soon as I walked in the exam room anyways....The good news, my acquaintance wasn't there.  It was a perfect stranger.  Nirvana!  That's what I like when I'm getting the parts checked out- strangers looking up and down- doesn't matter about the doctor- we've always had this  type of relationship.  I did have to have a medical student, but by golly gosh, they were a stranger too and that's how I like 'em when they're feeling me up - and down!

Moral of the story, when you have to deal with things that you don't want to- put in in the cup holder of your car and eventually it will fall out and have to be dealt with....hopefully, with time to spare and the checklist completed.

Graces- 10 of 52

Erie Shores Handpiece Repair.

Today was a very good day for our little business.  We participated in our 2nd Spring Clinic Dental Show sponsored by our local Dental Society.  What a difference a year makes!  Last year we were unsure as to what to expect.  We were the "new kids on the block."  One year late we are a whole lot wiser and felt like pros!  I am most especially proud of Beloved!  He has so grown into his role of business owner.  He was so confident in approaching current and potential clients.  He was definitely walkin' the talk today! 

 

There's Beloved at our booth!  I must say, we are especially proud of how our logo looks.  We actually look official!

 

That's J with Beloved handing out our bags to clinic attendees.  We were so excited to see so many people walking around with our "Bags" filled to the brim with their Exhibitor Swag.  J is our Guardian Angel here on earth.  She is a "Grace" to our family unto herself.  (That gives me an idea....)

 

That's John and colleague.  John is involved in a little local group that we are in that support one another within the Dental community.  Kind of scratch each other's back support group.  He's a great guy.  (We were all hooked up by an outstanding gal named Ingrid, of St. Catherine Consulting.  She couldn't attend today and was missed.  She has been such a good friend and support to us in our business.  Our area  was known as the "Ingrid Triangle" because everyone who works with her group was placed near one another!)

 

These classy guys are from Signature Bank.  This is a top notch outfit to be involved with.  They get a lot of traffic and are nice enough  to let us request to be located near them every year. 

 

They say image is everything- I think we look pretty sweet in out matching logo shirts!  They also say "when God closes one door, he opens another ..."  That saying is so true in our lives.  We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve our local dental community, working in an industry we enjoy and working for ourselves.  Two years ago when things looked bleak- (both of us unemployed at that same time...) I never thought we'd be where we are today.  Actually, that's not quite true.  I believed in our business concept and I believed in our ability to work as a team (J inlcuded!) to make this business a success.  I'm proud and grateful for how far we've come in a short amount of time.  We aren't where we'd like to be, but everyday, we get a little closer.  And that, is a blessing!

P.S.  On a personal note, I will be starting a full time position within the company I am employed by starting April 1.  I have mixed emotions regarding this.  One thought is like my previous Grace stated, I'm extremely grateful to have my job.  I also believe things happen for a reason and I'm meant to spend my work time on that endeavor.  However, another part of me is sad that I won't have that day to day interaction with our business.  I'll really miss that satisfaction of knowing one of my contributions made a difference or helped grow our business.  I know the business is in great, capable hands, but truly, a small part of me is a little envious that I won't be as involved in the day to day opeartions. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Everybody's Irish today!!

 

Also on that note- it's supposed to get to 70 degrees today!  It started out at 29 degrees this morning!

So- we can go from this-

 

To this-

 

I know, I know, quit exaggerating...but thinking of "the green" of Ireland is making me jones for the green of my grass....come Spring, we miss you.  Enjoy your day- eat lots of corn beef and cabbage and don't drink too much green beer! 

Graces- 9 of 52

My job.  I had a plan.  We had a plan.  Three years ago, I was downsized from Big Pharma.  Actually, it was mid-sized pharma.  The company I worked for was bought out and my division got the boot.  Initially, I was very down about my job loss.  I took searching for my next job very seriously.  Looking for a job became my job.  I networked.  I lived on the Internet.  I went to job fairs.  I worked with recruiters.  I took Career Placement seminars.  I hung out at Panera's (every good drug rep's second home away from home.)  Finally, my husband said, you know, we've been wanting to start this business....why don't you focus on that.  And so I did.  I did the research on starting a small business.  I did all the background stuff you need to do in order to get your small home based business up and running.  Once we were open...I worked on marketing, advertising and sales.  I actively was out in the field making sales calls every day, trying to drum up business. 

And it worked.  We were in business and had business.  Things were swimming along and then I got a call out of left field from an old employer asking me to interview for a position and was I interested?  Well, I believe in fate and what's supposed to be will be.  This was for a part time pharma job.  Three days a week.  It actually would give us the best of both worlds.  I could still go out in the field a couple of times a week for our business and then work my job the rest of the time.  The good thing being, I was actually making a paycheck again.  It was a great gig! 

Fast forward to a week ago.  I got the call.  Changes were being made.  My territory was being redrawn to be a full time territory.  Was I interested?  Well, sure, I guess.  If the choice is having a job and not, my choice is having a job. 

This past Friday we had a conference call with our National Sales Manager.  She explained some of the changes that were being made.  Several part time territories were being made full time.  Several full time territories were being made  part time and sadly, 7% of our sales force's territories were being eliminated.  I am so thankful for direction I get to move forward with- as others are not so lucky.  These are trying times for all industries.  The pharma industry has been going through pains as well.  Many colleagues have been downsized.  My heart goes  out to all of them and to any who are being affected by our economy.  I pray everyday that those who are hurting can be made whole again. 

So, I can't even in good conscience complain for one nano-second that my great little gig is going away.  Things happen for a reason.  I was meant to move in this direction at this time and I for one am extremely grateful for the opportunity.

Recipe for a Girl's Weekend (aka Women's Retreat)

 

1.  Have Travel Hostess book really cheap flights so no one has any excuses to not attend.

 

2.  Give Travel Hostess her "Official Wand" thus renaming her "The Queen."  This wand can be used for any and all reasons the Queen decides.  (ie- not following a rule previously published in the "Official Rule Book of Women's Retreat.")

 

3.  Misbehave on plane, thereby bringing joy to all those around you.

 

4.  Upon arrival at destination, go immediately to deck to see and hear the ocean.  It matters not if it is cold- you must sit on deck and partake in ritual of passing out the "weekend survival kits."

 

5.  Survival items include but not limited to:  Tiaras, Feather Boa's, Scarves, jewelery, Flasks, Bookmarks, Flip Flops, Name Tags (in case you forget who you are at any point during weekend.)

 

6.  You must put on and model as many survival items as you possibly can at once....

 

(D does a fine job of displaying multiple items....)

 

(C has it going on too.....)

 

(Have you noticed how color coordinated everyone is?  The Queen has special powers and did a fabulous job in making everyone look their best.  Even if a little wind blown, M looks special.)

7.  Now this next step is very important.  You should have chosen a beverage of choice for the weekend.  It is okay to choose more than one, but really, don't over do it.  Less is more and it just  gets too complicated once you have to keep running to the "Beverage" store.  And for heaven's sake, check on their hours before driving all over Hwy 17 in search of ingredients.  Our choice for the weekend came down to a Day time Beverage and a Night Time Beverage-

 

Bloody Mary's for when the sun is up and Cosmo's for after sundown.... this little number was extra spicy and very delicious. 

 

I might add, this beverage is a necessity for early morning sunrises.  (Don't M's nails look beautiful?  She had a pre-retreat manicure and I must say, it was well worth it!)

 

8.  Wear comfy shoes/flip flops and be prepared to spend the day shopping!!

 

Walk at brisk pace as there are many stores that need visiting.

 

9.  Eat lunch, (we have to keep our strength up...) have waitress personally bring out each and every dessert on the menu to help us decide what we'll order to go, have waitress stand on chair to take photo so gravity is working for us, leave restaurant to continue shopping, knowing that once again our little group has brought joy to all those around us. 

 

10.  Try on and buy as many shoes as possible.  (Consider ways to use this photo for blackmail in the future.)

 

11.  Return home from shopping, display purchases on table, make beverage and peruse purchased items at leisure.

 

12.  Decide sunny day spent on beach trumps day trip to Charleston.  Read, Relax, walk on the beach-in no particular order or time schedule...

 

Collect sea shells, sea glass, watch for dolphins....

 

Let the sun shine down and warm you down to your little pedicured toes...

 

Enjoy the sights, wishing this was your reality, knowing you probably wouldn't appreciate it as much if it was.....

 

Meet a real "surfer dude" and ask him to apply for job as personal cabana boy....

 

Toast to a fabulous time, fun and friendship....

 

Admire sparkly things a hypothetical friend made you purchase...

 

Say goodbye to the beach....

 

Cherish the new memories made and look forward to new ones to come!!

A big thank you to all my girl getaway pals- I had a wonderful time- I laughed until I cried (not piddled, M.) and came home refreshed and ready to carry on....Thanks to my family for helping me get away....Looking forward to adding to the rule book next year!  XOXOXO

Recharging Your Batteries

One week ago today I was sitting on a chair on a deck looking at this -

 

Sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean, Garden City, South Carolina. 

 

Close your eyes, imagine the sound of the surf.  When I hear the Ocean, I am instantly at peace.

Peace in my heart, my soul, my mind.  Looking out at the immenseness of this ocean, I feel instantly small in my place in this world.

   

Can you imagine the beginning feelings of warmth as the Sun moves into the sky?

 

This canvas of colors ever changing.  This quiet time in the morning was my personal Mass, my communion with God, Nature and my friends as we watched the sun come up together.

 

Ready to start the day, our batteries recharged-

 

For a day of FUN!  More on that to come!!