Ok, so is it me, or does Christmas seem to come earlier every year?
I mean really...as soon as the Halloween decorations came down, BAM...the Christmas decorations were up. I wish I were exaggerating, but I'm not. This is the absolute truth.
Poor Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving gets no love :-(
Christmas has become so commercial that retailers begin the season earlier and earlier each year to bring in the bucks. Who cares about the spiritual significance of Christmas? Maybe I'm the only one.
And the music!!! Man!
I was in a store today and the Christmas songs were BLARING! Today is only November 13th. We've still got over a month to go here people!!!
Me...I don't pull the Christmas music out until December 1st...NEVER any sooner. And my Christmas collection is a lot different that what you'll hear in the stores. MY Christmas collection is about (get this!!!) JESUS! I know...sounds silly doesn't it. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Quite honestly, it shouldn't be any other way.
Yeah...every now and then we pop in a song about a reindeer, or the jolly old man in the red suit...but 99% of the Christmas music that we listen to in my home, is about the REAL meaning of Christmas. That also happens to be the name of one of my favorite Christmas songs..."The Real Meaning of Christmas".
So anyway...I said all that to say this...can we give Thanksgiving just a little bit of love. Hmmm...maybe we should come up with a song. Wha' da ya think?
Let the DIALOGUE begin! If you could write a song for THANKSGIVING how would it go? Throw me some lyrics.
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Le-A
Okay, so I could talk about yet another crummy day at work, but instead I thought we'd do something fun. We are going to a play a little game.
As you see, the title of tonight's blog is "Le-A".
You're probably wondering, "What is Le-A"?
I'm glad you asked :-)
Le-A is a woman's name.
YOUR job...is to tell me how it's pronounced. Come on people...join in on the fun. This needs to be VERY interactive. After seven guesses, I'll tell you the correct pronunciation, unless of course, someone guesses correctly before seven guesses.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! What is the craziest name you've ever heard?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
As you see, the title of tonight's blog is "Le-A".
You're probably wondering, "What is Le-A"?
I'm glad you asked :-)
Le-A is a woman's name.
YOUR job...is to tell me how it's pronounced. Come on people...join in on the fun. This needs to be VERY interactive. After seven guesses, I'll tell you the correct pronunciation, unless of course, someone guesses correctly before seven guesses.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! What is the craziest name you've ever heard?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tired
I'm back.
Made it through another day at work, and as I do everyday before I walk into the office doors, and as I'm walking out, I thanked God. It is ONLY through the strength that He gives me that I am able to make it through each day.
My job is technical. I'm not.
From the day I was hired I pray every morning before I step foot through those doors asking God to give me what I need for that day. Lead me, guide me, direct me, and be with me. These are what I pray for EVERY morning. And at the end of the day, I thank Him for getting me through. I'm truly not doing this by myself.
Most days, like today, I end the day completely exhausted. Now I realize that most people are tired after a days work, but I am exceptionally, abnormally tired. I really need rest.
Here's a typical day for me:
Wake up at 6:00 a.m.
Get kids up and out the door between 6:45 and 7:00
Hop on a crowded freeway to drop my daughter off at school that's about 15 miles North West from where we live.
Head over to my son's school that's about 10 miles South of my daughter's school.
Then I hop on another freeway and head West toward work (in bumper to bumper traffic).
Finally, I make it to the office at 8:30
From the minute I sit down at my desk it's "all systems go". I answer a slew of emails and phone calls while responding to my customer's Instant Message requests. And oh, did I mention our "work flow management tool" where our customers also enter their quote requests that they expect to have answered within 4 hours. It's waaay too much.
About once every 3 hours I get up to use the restroom (thank God for my bladder, otherwise I'd never get up), and I eat my lunch at my desk. Every now & then I try to get away from my desk for lunch but when I get back I always regret it because a 1 hour lunch break sets me back about 3 hours. Just not worth it.
5:30 p.m. rolls around (slowly) and I should be wrapping up. Usually don't leave til @ 6 though.
Hop on the freeway to go get my kids from their grandmas house.
Hop on another freeway to get home (in bumper to bumper traffic).
Get home, wash hands, start dinner.
Log back onto work to catch up on all of the work that couldn't possibly get done in an 8 hour work day. Does the 8 hour work day even exist anymore?
Help with homework.
Eat dinner.
Sit on the couch wishing that I could stay home from work the next day. Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.
Work til who knows when and eventually go to sleep between 12 and 1:00 a.m.
Starts all over again in 5 hours.
Like a hamster on a treadmill, I'm running but not going anywhere :-(
And I'm tired.
What I just outlined is just a template of my day. It's rare that I get to actually come straight home from work. On Tuesday nights we have Bible Study. Thursday nights my daughter has choir rehearsal. And on the other days, there's just no tellin' what stop we'll have to make before heading home.
I'm not trying to complain (again, I get that many of today's unemployed would love to be in my shoes...I totally get it), I just feel sometimes that people "don't get me". Maybe if they understood a "day in my life" they'd understand me a little better.
Everyone has a limit. I think I've reached mine. I'm tired and really need to rest. No...I'm not talking a good night's sleep...I mean real rest, away from the stress and the demands of life. I just need a break. But a break is no where in sight.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Are you as tired as I am? What's a typical day like in your life?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Made it through another day at work, and as I do everyday before I walk into the office doors, and as I'm walking out, I thanked God. It is ONLY through the strength that He gives me that I am able to make it through each day.
My job is technical. I'm not.
From the day I was hired I pray every morning before I step foot through those doors asking God to give me what I need for that day. Lead me, guide me, direct me, and be with me. These are what I pray for EVERY morning. And at the end of the day, I thank Him for getting me through. I'm truly not doing this by myself.
Most days, like today, I end the day completely exhausted. Now I realize that most people are tired after a days work, but I am exceptionally, abnormally tired. I really need rest.
Here's a typical day for me:
Wake up at 6:00 a.m.
Get kids up and out the door between 6:45 and 7:00
Hop on a crowded freeway to drop my daughter off at school that's about 15 miles North West from where we live.
Head over to my son's school that's about 10 miles South of my daughter's school.
Then I hop on another freeway and head West toward work (in bumper to bumper traffic).
Finally, I make it to the office at 8:30
From the minute I sit down at my desk it's "all systems go". I answer a slew of emails and phone calls while responding to my customer's Instant Message requests. And oh, did I mention our "work flow management tool" where our customers also enter their quote requests that they expect to have answered within 4 hours. It's waaay too much.
About once every 3 hours I get up to use the restroom (thank God for my bladder, otherwise I'd never get up), and I eat my lunch at my desk. Every now & then I try to get away from my desk for lunch but when I get back I always regret it because a 1 hour lunch break sets me back about 3 hours. Just not worth it.
5:30 p.m. rolls around (slowly) and I should be wrapping up. Usually don't leave til @ 6 though.
Hop on the freeway to go get my kids from their grandmas house.
Hop on another freeway to get home (in bumper to bumper traffic).
Get home, wash hands, start dinner.
Log back onto work to catch up on all of the work that couldn't possibly get done in an 8 hour work day. Does the 8 hour work day even exist anymore?
Help with homework.
Eat dinner.
Sit on the couch wishing that I could stay home from work the next day. Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.
Work til who knows when and eventually go to sleep between 12 and 1:00 a.m.
Starts all over again in 5 hours.
Like a hamster on a treadmill, I'm running but not going anywhere :-(
And I'm tired.
What I just outlined is just a template of my day. It's rare that I get to actually come straight home from work. On Tuesday nights we have Bible Study. Thursday nights my daughter has choir rehearsal. And on the other days, there's just no tellin' what stop we'll have to make before heading home.
I'm not trying to complain (again, I get that many of today's unemployed would love to be in my shoes...I totally get it), I just feel sometimes that people "don't get me". Maybe if they understood a "day in my life" they'd understand me a little better.
Everyone has a limit. I think I've reached mine. I'm tired and really need to rest. No...I'm not talking a good night's sleep...I mean real rest, away from the stress and the demands of life. I just need a break. But a break is no where in sight.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Are you as tired as I am? What's a typical day like in your life?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Dressing on Purpose
After 4 days of mind clearing, stress relieving bliss, I had to go back to work today :-(
For 4 days I got to be a Mom to my kids, and a friend to my friends. I got to be me. I wasn't worn out, frazzled and exhausted as I usually am from being overworked. For once, in a very long time I felt rested.
I realize that in today's economy it's pretty much "taboo" to complain about one's job because there are so many people who would love to be in my seat. So let me say from the jump: I am thankful for having a job. HOWEVER...the stress that I am placed under each day is NOT normal. Many of coworkers cry on the way to work (me included). Some of us cry while at work. Is that normal? I think not.
We come in, sit down and GO. Barely having time to even bid each other a "good morning".
We remind ourselves to breathe throughout the day because most of the time we are suffocating. We are drowning. It's bad...really really bad.
And it's finally gotten to the point where I have come to realize that no matter how much I do, no matter how late I work...it will NEVER be enough, because there are simply too few people in my office to get the job done. Waaay too few. Sadly, it's not going to change. Understaffed and Overwhelmed has become the "new normal".
So as I prepared to get dressed for work this morning, trying to let go of the depression that sets in before the beginning of each work week, I decided to dress to match the way I felt. I wore ALL BLACK. Today, I dressed on purpose. Everyday that I go into that office I feel like a little piece of me is dying. This can't be normal. It just can't be.
Again...I am thankful to have a job because I need a way to provide for my family and right now, this is it. But the price that I am paying, both in my physical and emotional health is more than I can afford, and can never be repaid.
I sometimes feel like an victim of abuse. People say to me, "Why don't you leave if it's so bad"? But it's not that easy. Where I am supposed to go? Who's hiring? I feel trapped. It's ver similar to an abuse victime. They want to leave. They know that they need to get out. They know that the longer they stay, the worse it'll get. And so, they stay. Playing out the escape in their minds, but never quite able to make the actual getaway. No one should ever feel this way. Not in a personal relationship, not at work. This is so unhealthy. I call it "workplace abuse syndrome". Not sure if that's an actual diagnosis, but it certainly the name that I would go with.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Do you feel trapped in your job? What's keeping you from leaving? Do you think you'll ever get out?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
For 4 days I got to be a Mom to my kids, and a friend to my friends. I got to be me. I wasn't worn out, frazzled and exhausted as I usually am from being overworked. For once, in a very long time I felt rested.
I realize that in today's economy it's pretty much "taboo" to complain about one's job because there are so many people who would love to be in my seat. So let me say from the jump: I am thankful for having a job. HOWEVER...the stress that I am placed under each day is NOT normal. Many of coworkers cry on the way to work (me included). Some of us cry while at work. Is that normal? I think not.
We come in, sit down and GO. Barely having time to even bid each other a "good morning".
We remind ourselves to breathe throughout the day because most of the time we are suffocating. We are drowning. It's bad...really really bad.
And it's finally gotten to the point where I have come to realize that no matter how much I do, no matter how late I work...it will NEVER be enough, because there are simply too few people in my office to get the job done. Waaay too few. Sadly, it's not going to change. Understaffed and Overwhelmed has become the "new normal".
So as I prepared to get dressed for work this morning, trying to let go of the depression that sets in before the beginning of each work week, I decided to dress to match the way I felt. I wore ALL BLACK. Today, I dressed on purpose. Everyday that I go into that office I feel like a little piece of me is dying. This can't be normal. It just can't be.
Again...I am thankful to have a job because I need a way to provide for my family and right now, this is it. But the price that I am paying, both in my physical and emotional health is more than I can afford, and can never be repaid.
I sometimes feel like an victim of abuse. People say to me, "Why don't you leave if it's so bad"? But it's not that easy. Where I am supposed to go? Who's hiring? I feel trapped. It's ver similar to an abuse victime. They want to leave. They know that they need to get out. They know that the longer they stay, the worse it'll get. And so, they stay. Playing out the escape in their minds, but never quite able to make the actual getaway. No one should ever feel this way. Not in a personal relationship, not at work. This is so unhealthy. I call it "workplace abuse syndrome". Not sure if that's an actual diagnosis, but it certainly the name that I would go with.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Do you feel trapped in your job? What's keeping you from leaving? Do you think you'll ever get out?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
My Questions, Your Answers
Tell me this...
How many times, and how long do you reach out to someone who doesn't reach back?
How much giving do you do before you realize that what you get in return (if anything) will never equate to all that you've given?
How many times do YOU have to take the first step toward forgiveness, knowing that the person you're forgiving will ultimately hurt you again?
Just wondering.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Are you one who reaches out, gives, and forgives...or are you the one who doesn't reach back, always takes, and creates the hurt?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
How many times, and how long do you reach out to someone who doesn't reach back?
How much giving do you do before you realize that what you get in return (if anything) will never equate to all that you've given?
How many times do YOU have to take the first step toward forgiveness, knowing that the person you're forgiving will ultimately hurt you again?
Just wondering.
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Are you one who reaches out, gives, and forgives...or are you the one who doesn't reach back, always takes, and creates the hurt?
Talk to me!
Til next time...
Thursday, November 4, 2010
C-Sections...as common as changing socks (urgh!)
I'm sure that I won't make many friends with this post but this topic has been on my mind for a while and since it seems like no one visits the blog anyway, I'm pretty much free to say what I want...right?
So what's on my mind tonight??? C-Sections. I just don't get 'em. Why do so many women opt to have C-Sections. I mean, even without TRYING to have a natural childbirth they just make the decision to "have the drugs, and get the C-Section". How lazy! I mean really ladies...what would you do if you didn't have the luxury and "easy out" of having a C-Section. Oh...I know...YOU'D ENDURE THE PAIN AND HAVE THE BABY NATURALLY!!! Just the way women have been having babies since the beginning of time. Suck it up and push it out!!!
Now I get that some women HAVE to have a C-Section for medical purposes, but come on now...are there THAT many women who have the medical need? Let me answer that one for ya...NO, there are not!!!
So when I say that I don't get it, I mean just that. I've had 3 babies, and I had all 3 NATURALLY and WITHOUT drugs. I had my babies the same way that Eve had hers.
Yeah, it hurt like heck, but I had a great coach by my side to help me through the pain. And with only the two of us in the room (no doctors, no nurses, not a bunch of other people in the room tellin' us what to do), we got through it and delivered 3 healthy babies as a result. And we must've gotten something right because each delivery was faster than the one before.
So what am I trying to say? I'm saying this: LADIES...give natural childbirth a try before you throw in the towel and decide that your baby isn't worth the pain so you're just gonna take the easy road.
Life is painful. Why should childbirth be any different? Now breath in, breath out...deep cleansing breaths, and have that baby...the natural way!
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Sorry guys, this one's for the ladies...Have you ever had a C-Section, and did you have it because it was medically necessary, or because it was convenient. Be honest.
Talk to me!
Til next time...
So what's on my mind tonight??? C-Sections. I just don't get 'em. Why do so many women opt to have C-Sections. I mean, even without TRYING to have a natural childbirth they just make the decision to "have the drugs, and get the C-Section". How lazy! I mean really ladies...what would you do if you didn't have the luxury and "easy out" of having a C-Section. Oh...I know...YOU'D ENDURE THE PAIN AND HAVE THE BABY NATURALLY!!! Just the way women have been having babies since the beginning of time. Suck it up and push it out!!!
Now I get that some women HAVE to have a C-Section for medical purposes, but come on now...are there THAT many women who have the medical need? Let me answer that one for ya...NO, there are not!!!
So when I say that I don't get it, I mean just that. I've had 3 babies, and I had all 3 NATURALLY and WITHOUT drugs. I had my babies the same way that Eve had hers.
Yeah, it hurt like heck, but I had a great coach by my side to help me through the pain. And with only the two of us in the room (no doctors, no nurses, not a bunch of other people in the room tellin' us what to do), we got through it and delivered 3 healthy babies as a result. And we must've gotten something right because each delivery was faster than the one before.
So what am I trying to say? I'm saying this: LADIES...give natural childbirth a try before you throw in the towel and decide that your baby isn't worth the pain so you're just gonna take the easy road.
Life is painful. Why should childbirth be any different? Now breath in, breath out...deep cleansing breaths, and have that baby...the natural way!
Let the DIALOGUE begin! Sorry guys, this one's for the ladies...Have you ever had a C-Section, and did you have it because it was medically necessary, or because it was convenient. Be honest.
Talk to me!
Til next time...
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