It's Been a Year

Hi, Daddy.

It's been a year that you've been gone. I think about you every day, even if just for a moment. I look at a picture of you and remember little things you might say. "Yah, yah." "OK, honey." I remember your peanut butter sandwiches with butter on them or your dish of gumdrops. I play with your key chain from the university. I triple-check to make sure my candle is out before I go to bed. We were in Wausau for Thanksgiving and I spent some time in the basement. Your candles, your artwork, your Snoopy memorabilia. And all those supplies for your homemade greeting cards! So many things that are so "you."

I tried to think of what sort of things you missed this last year. We've had jobs, and we've lost jobs. The Packers won the Super Bowl last year, and they're doing great again this season! The Brewers did well, too, but you'd have to ask Mother about that. You know I'm not much of a baseball person. We got a new TV, and I remember when we got our first color TV when I was a kid. And when we visit, your boy looks forward to a chance to play with your Atari.

We bought your grandson his own violin (no more rental!), and I remember how you'd let him play for you when we'd visit. He wears your cross necklace almost every day. And for concerts, he's usually wearing one of your ties and tie clips. Mother's started using the computer, and that reminds me how you'd play online games with your grandchildren or chat with all of us. She's getting the hang of email and even Facebook! But we still manage to talk on the phone for a long time when one of us calls. We upgraded our cell phones, and I remember how you kept your first one in the trunk of the car so it wouldn't be in the way but was there if you needed it.

I've still got one stem from one of the poinsettias we got last year. It hasn't grown much, but it's hanging in there. I hope you don't mind, but sometimes I post pictures of you. Most of them are from before I was even born. But it's cool to see you in high school or in the Army. When we eventually get snow, I'll start wearing your red hunting coat again. It's perfect for shoveling, and I know I'm visible!

Just last week I was thinking about Christmas when I was a kid. You're an important part of those memories, from putting lights on the tree to taking movies of us hanging tinsel to bringing up all those gifts after we were finally in bed. Thanks for that, and for putting up the big Santa every year.

I'm sure there have been other things we would have talked about. A lot happens in a year! But I know you've been keeping an eye on things. And I bet your ears have been ringing, because there are a lot of conversations that include, "...your Grandpa K..."

Just wanted you to know I was thinking about you. We didn't say it a lot in person, but I love you, Daddy. Stay with the group!

3/3/32 - 12/12/10

Childhood Christmas Traditions

Today (December 7) is my sister's birthday. (I won't call her out in public--she knows who she is.) Years ago our grandmother would have baked her a cake in the shape of a snowman, with eyes and buttons of (I think) gumdrops. I hope she never felt like the upcoming holiday overshadowed her special day. Happy birthday to my big sister!

But I remember that her birthday was an important day leading up to Christmas. December 1 was a deadline of sorts, too. I can't say for sure which day meant what, but it was all part of the big countdown.

There was a rule in our house that Christmas music couldn't be played out of season. We could maybe play it in our bedrooms after Thanksgiving. But we couldn't have it loud enough for anyone else to hear until the the 1st...or the 7th...one of those.

Do you remember the big Sears Wish Book? That was THE place to pick out what you wanted for Christmas. We could page through it as soon as it came in the mail. Oooh...look at all the pretty new toys and games and dolls and stuff (yeah, and clothes, too). We three kids would carefully examine each item on each page. Apparently, Santa got his supplies from Sears, because then we could write our initials by the goodies we wanted. BUT...not until the 1st...or the 7th...one of those.

Christmas decorations and the tree certainly wouldn't go up until at least the 7th. The big Santa on the front door is particularly memorable, and still makes an appearance. Sometimes my dad would take movies of us hanging ornaments and tinsel. This was the '60s, so I assume it was an 8mm camera. I just remember the bright lights, on a separate piece of equipment. They would illuminate the scene, but for heaven's sake don't look right at them! There's film of me trying to wave at the camera while not looking at the lights. (I was pretty darn cute, if I do say so myself.)

Our tree had traditional ornaments. They were mostly round, mostly glass, with old-time lead-laden tinsel. And the lights! Those big, hot, bright bulbs. We'd always examine the tree after Dad put the lights on to make sure there weren't two of the same color too close to each other. He had to use a hankie to grasp the bulbs once they were on so as not to burn his fingers. I guess Christmas was dangerous back in the day.

I don't remember exactly when it started, but Mrs. Santa started getting a new ornament for each child (or grandchild) every year. The trick is to figure out which are the new ones, and then make sure there are enough of the same style to go around. Especially for the younger generation, it gives them a great start on their own collection when it's time for the first tree of their own.

One year we started hiding a pickle ornament, and more recently a red chili pepper. You just know they're on the tree somewhere! But the oldest tradition, at least from my perspective, is the finding of the Santa and snowman ornaments--small, fragile, bells (I think). We never actually hung them on the tree. They were left out, easy to find, and Santa would put them on the tree when he brought the gifts. It was always a bit of a competition to see who could find them on the branches. It was part of the Christmas morning routine. There's still nothing like the sight of the tree on Christmas morning...colorful lights, pretty ornaments, and sparkly garland or tinsel.

Christmas Eve meant the Sunday School program, then up to visit one set of grandparents (and have some fabulous kuchen), and home to bed nice and early. Don't forget to put out the stockings (really just socks, but they served their purpose nicely)! I don't think I woke up unusually early on Christmas morning. But we couldn't head out to the living room until all three kids were awake and ready to go. As the youngest, I was likely the most anxious. I would call out in a loud whisper trying to make sure my brother and sister were up. And I'm pretty sure my sister would on occasion pretend to still be sleeping. But she couldn't hold out forever, so we'd all walk out together. Ooh and aah at the tree and the gifts that had appeared. Toast and cocoa (who could eat a regular breakfast with all that stuff waiting?). And don't forget to take your vitamin! A few hours later, the other set of grandparents would come over...more gifts and fun. Christmas dinner was back at the other grandparents' house, followed by some rousing Bingo with the cousins. Just simple quality family time.

Every year at this time, a song or an ornament or a cookie momentarily transports me back to those Christmases of my youth. For me, new songs will never top the oldies but goodies. I still make the same treats as we did back then, though I wish I could find the recipe for that coffee cake. We still stay in our pajamas to open gifts. And emptying the stockings still comes first. The details are modified as we get older, but the way I feel inside hasn't changed.

And for me, it really starts to kick in on December 7. Happy birthday to my sister!

Thankful for Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again. No longer crisp and sunny autumn days, but not yet bitter and snowy winter. The calm before the storm of Christmas (though if you've been in a store or have watched much TV, it's been the Christmas season for at least a month). I've talked before about how Thanksgiving gets shortchanged, sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. I almost feel obligated to promote it as a holiday. Now, I'm not quite ready to say that it's my favorite holiday, but there are a lot of reasons to be thankful for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not centered around alcohol. The purpose of the day isn't to drink early and often.

Thanksgiving does not require a "date." You aren't expected to have a partner for an appropriate celebration.

Thanksgiving is not a portrait in excess. Yes, many people overindulge at their dinner table. But it's not weeks of candy or hors d'oeuvres or desserts.

Thanksgiving is not loud. There aren't booms and pops into the wee hours of the morning. There aren't lots of people crammed into small spaces.

Thanksgiving is not about "getting." It's not about who has the most or the best or the biggest.

Thanksgiving is not a "season." It may extend into a long weekend, but it's really just one day. Decorations are modest. Gifts are not expected. Radio and TV programming isn't radically altered. Grocery store ads may have little turkeys in them, but we are not bombarded with things we must buy in order to have the perfect holiday.

Thanksgiving does not have to stir up the religious vs. secular debate. Now, don't get your feathers ruffled. It certainly has Christian origins. After all...to whom were the Pilgrims giving thanks? But it isn't biblical like a traditional Christmas or Easter. You can be thankful for what you have and appreciate what the country's earliest immigrants accomplished regardless of your individual beliefs.

So what is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is very personal. There are lots of "right" ways to celebrate. Your day may revolve around football, deer hunting, a turkey feast, serving others, shopping at the big sales, a parade, or a church service. Be thankful for the opportunity to participate in any of them. You may be surrounded by family or friends or strangers, being thankful for all that you have. Or, you may take a moment alone and simply be thankful that the sun rose again today. It's really just a grateful state of mind.

Everyone has their own way of celebrating--or not celebrating--a holiday. Thanksgiving Day doesn't ask much of us. We all can be thankful for having this one day. Everything else we do or have is a bonus.

I wish you a Thanksgiving that's just right for you. Thank you for reading.

Downsized again

Seems like it was only a year and a half ago that I was looking for a job after my proofreading position was eliminated. Can you say "deja vu"? The market research firm I was working for since March eliminated my position yesterday. So once again, I am on a quest to find gainful employment.

I spent 12 years at the hotel and 11 years at the ad agency. After a year of searching, I entered the world of market research. That lasted a whopping eight months. I understand that many people change jobs for a number of reasons on a more frequent basis. I'm just not used to that. I much prefer staying at a job until I've mastered it.

Now comes the task of once again examining my skills and talents and trying to match them up with positions and employers. I fully believe I can be trained to do almost anything. It's just a matter of finding an environment where I can be most successful.

At least it gave me a topic for this short blog entry...

Welcome back to me!

I'm supposed to be balancing the checkbook (or the electronic equivalent thereof). But I've let it go too long and it's not going to be fun trying to match up the debit transactions for which I don't have receipts. And I simply refuse to just take the bank's word for what our balance is. I guess I like to feel like I have some control over our money.

Or, I should be thinking about heading up to bed. A good night's sleep is important, after all!

Or, I could just keep playing "Bejeweled" for awhile. That game is addictive for me! Just one more game...

But, I did promise to write again soon. So let's see if there's anything on my mind.

I should at least mention how very proud I am of my son. I try to not write or post or tweet much about him in too much detail. He's old enough to talk about his own activities if he so chooses. Otherwise, I try to respect his privacy. (He does not have a Facebook account...by his own choice. I tell him what the family is up to, and he texts his friends, so it's not like he's a hermit. He just doesn't feel drawn to it, and I'm proud of his choice.)

But I can't just ignore his recent involvement in the school musical. He was in the pit orchestra, as he was last year. There were lots of after-school rehearsals, and two on the weekend before opening night. That makes for some long days, to be sure. He gets tired, but it's what some might call a "good" tired. It's the adrenaline rush of successfully getting through a particularly tough song. It's doing something he enjoys and that's appreciated. It's being part of a team that must work together to produce a fabulous result. This was something he chose to do on his own. I'm sure his teacher encouraged him to participate. But I don't think I ever said, "You should be in pit. It will look good on college applications." Or, "Join pit. That will make sure you practice your instrument more." He wanted to do it. The talent displayed by everyone involved was impressive. (Were we that good at stuff in high school?) I positively beam when I see him playing and he's in his performance zone. He works at it, he enjoys it, and he's pretty darn good at it. It's one of those moments where I have to accept the fact that my "baby" is growing into his own unique individual.

As for me, I haven't been up to much of anything out of the ordinary lately. Well, I've been running to school to pick up my son from rehearsal. And I've been making things for the bake sale. (Burned my finger pretty good last week. The kitchen just isn't where I was meant to be!)

I did miss the second annual girlfriends' trip. Last year, the three of us went up to the condo of the parents of one of my friends. Two beautiful days of laziness, chattiness, shopping, wine, and just all-around quality time with the girls. It just wasn't practical for me to go this year. So...they went without me! Actually, I am glad they did. They deserve the time away, too, and I would have felt terrible if they cancelled just because of me. With the magic of text messages and Skype, I spent some virtual time on the trip. I heard all about their adventures. Jealous? A little. But I was honored to be included by the means available to us. They bought me a gift since I wasn't there to buy my own kitschy stuff. And, they bought me a souvenir. I can't tell you what it is, because that would ruin some of its charm (and you might think we are all cuckoo). But we now each have one of these items. Our girl-power has been multiplied. We just might be unstoppable if we join forces. Don't worry--we promise to only use our powers for good. (Note: I see that in my last post I already named what they brought for me. But I'm not going to describe how fabulous it is! You'll just have to use your imagination.)

Let me check my last post to see what I'd contemplated discussing here. Hmmm... There's a new celebrity court case. Not worth discussing, really, much like most of the other celebrity court cases. For me, 11/11/11 passed without incident, neither wondrous nor terrible. We didn't get much snow last week. Enough to remind us that winter is not far off, but not enough to get worked up about. Andy Rooney? I enjoyed his spots when I happened to catch him on TV. May he and his eyebrows rest in peace.

So life goes on for me regardless of the date or of the weather. As a mom and as one of the girls. And sometimes...as a blogger.

Where Have I Been?

I certainly haven't been blogging lately, that's for sure. Busy, busy, that's me.

So what to write about next time...the passing of Andy Rooney? Celebrity court cases? The pride I have in my son's school activities? My thoughts on the date 11/11/11 (Do I have any particular thoughts on the date 11/11/11?). The girlfriends trip I had to miss (but still got my very own princess wand)? The snow that's forecast...BEFORE Thanksgiving?

So many thoughts, so little time...

Rest assured: I shall return.

We All Remember and Hope

If you're going to write, 9/11 is one of those days that you're supposed to write about. Ten years ago, the world as we knew it was rocked. Some people were touched by those events on a very personal level. Though I don't know anyone who lost someone that day, I would imagine that I'm no farther than six degrees from someone who was affected as an individual.

My hope, though, is that we've all been touched by that day and the days that followed, and still feel that touch. A lot of things can change in 10 years. Let's hope that many have...and that just as many have not.

I hope the fear that each day could bring tragedy has subsided. But I hope that we still believe each day is a joyous gift.

I hope that the pain of losing someone has eased. But I hope that the loving memories are still in our hearts.

I hope that the hatred and desire for revenge has dwindled. But I hope that we still feel proud to be American.

I hope that our suspicions about people based solely on their religion or ethnicity have diminished. But I hope that we continue to keep our eyes open and watch out for our neighbors and community.

I hope that the mob mentality that makes us act before thinking has waned. But I hope that we keep working with each other instead of just for ourselves.

I hope that everyday people don't have to make life-or-death decisions every day. But I hope that we don't lose our gratitude for everyday people doing heroic things.

I prayed before, I prayed then, and I still pray. I hope that we all find comfort in something beyond ourselves.

I flew an American flag before, I flew my flag then, and I still fly my flag. I hope that we all remain patriotic.

We all remember. And I hope we continue to remember--and hope--for more than 10 years.

I Know How You Feel

Thanks, but no, you don't.

Yesterday I almost told someone, "I know how you feel." But I stopped myself.

I really do almost know how this person feels. We have comparable backgrounds, and have been through similar events. I can relate to what this person might be feeling.

But we are not the same person. We have distinct lives and experiences, different beliefs and thoughts.

It seems that when someone says, "I know how you feel," the conversation somehow shifts to them, even if unintentionally and just for a moment. That sentence is often followed by, "One time I..." or "The same thing happened to me and..." or "I know when I went through that..."

I realize you probably mean well. But you know what? I didn't ask (or even imply) that I wanted you to share your story. These are my feelings. They are right for me no matter what you've felt.

You can tell me how you feel. And I'll try to understand to the best of my ability. But I know that my understanding is from my individual point of view. I'm not in your head or in your heart.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I appreciate that you acknowledge I might be sad or happy, angry or confused. But it's not humanly possible that you really know how I feel.

You know how you feel. I know how I feel. And though I want to share your feelings as much as I can, please know...I know that you feel.

I am a People Person (I am?)

Over the last few months, I've been told--more than once--that I am a "people person." I surely smiled and said "thank you." But inside I thought, "Me? Do they know who I am?"

Maybe I just act like one. Maybe I had a different idea of what that term meant. So I figured I'd better check out an official definition.

According to Dictionary.com: an outgoing, gregarious person with good communication skills. And the Macmillan Dictionary online: someone who enjoys being with other people and easily becomes friends with them

Hmmm...I do enjoy being with other people. I don't think I'd last very long as a hermit. My communication skills are above average (if I do say so myself). But am I "sociable"?

You may have heard (or read) me discussing that I sometimes even have trouble picking up the phone to call my friends. I need to work a little more on my mingling skills, especially in an unfamiliar setting. You'll rarely see me walk up to a stranger and start up a conversation.

On the other hand, I'll make chit-chat in the checkout line. Or engage in some small talk with parents at my son's school.

But I also love being alone for awhile. Free to do whatever chores or watch whatever movie I want, on my own timeline.

At my old job, I was rarely in a position to talk to clients. And that suited me just fine. I would just do my proofreading, move some projects through the office, and leave the more public responsibilities to the account services team. Sure, eventually there were clients that I knew were easy to talk to, and communicating with them didn't bother me a bit.

At my new job, however, I frequently email clients and vendors/partners, and actually talk to them, too! That's part of what I'm expected to do. I used to be "just" the proofreader, almost better seen and not heard. Now, I'm in a position of...authority. I feel empowered to make decisions and be that point of contact for anyone doing business with us.

I'm realizing that it boils down to how I see myself. I don't have to be that shy girl in the background, worried that other people are judging me on my imagined shortcomings. I can be that confident woman who knows what she's doing and isn't afraid to live up to her potential.

Don't you think it's time that I start behaving like the people person other people see me as, instead of just a people-I-know person?

Remembering Daddy

He calmed my fears when I had a nightmare after watching "Dark Shadows."

He made it all better when I pinched my finger in the refrigerator door handle.

He took us to feed the ducks.

He let me sit on his lap to "drive" the car into the garage.

He put on the worms and took off the fish.

He took movies of us decorating the Christmas tree.

He got the mouse out of the cupboard.

He played badminton with me.

He was my father,

and no matter how old I am,

he'll always be Daddy.

Happy Father's Day.

I'm Officially in Market Research

Some of you (OK...perhaps just one of you) have been quietly clamoring for an update. Far be it from me to disappoint my readers, so let me tell you a little bit about my new job.

I've been in my position as general manager at a market research firm for close to three months, and I must say that I feel like I belong there! It's not like I've always dreamed of working in the field. And I'm not working with people I've known for years. I'd never even been to this office prior to my interview. And I had only met the owner/president a handful of times. But as soon as I walked in, I felt...comfortable. The woman who left for a new position had been there about 10 years, I think, so I could have easily been seen as an outsider or even an intruder. There are only 14 people in the office (and a few who work remotely), so you can imagine what a tight-knit group it is. But everyone has been very welcoming and very patient. I'd gotten a referral from a friend and former coworker, which meant a lot to the owner. The company's success naturally depends on the quality of the work, but the business relationships are an important part of its longevity. Sometimes it really does matter who you know!

So what do I do at this market research firm? I'm still trying to figure out the best way to describe it. I don't moderate focus groups or place calls to complete telephone surveys. I don't collect the data, or analyze it, or prepare a report on the findings (but I'm starting to see how it's done). I do, however, try to manage a lot of it. I'll sometimes take the initial call from a prospective client, find out what they're looking for (trying to remember all the relevant questions to ask!), and then prepare an estimate for the project. I'll so some of the necessary paperwork to get the project into our system for billing and keeping track of hours put into it. And I'll keep a project folder...all that paper. You can try to keep as much as possible electronically, but sometimes you just need to have a hard copy in front of you (or is that just me?).

I still get to proofread, too! I review proposals, reports, and drafts of surveys. I learn as I'm reading, and I get to add or delete commas where I want and need to. I like giving that final polish to the work.

The team in the phone bank gets some of their direction from me. They know how to do their job well, and it's not easy. It seems to be getting harder all the time to get people to spend 10 minutes sharing their opinion over the phone. (But don't count it out yet; phone research is still an important method of gathering information!) I'll brief them on a new survey that's getting started, clarifying the questions, letting them know the quotas of how many people to reach in what area. I'll keep track of the daily progress, and help determine how many people should be working on each project. It's still a learning process to figure out where everyone does their best work, but they are all willing to work with me and point me in the right direction when I need it.

I talk to clients and vendors often. Sure, sometimes I'm just chatting with them before I transfer them to the boss. But I can approach a client with a question if I've got one, and I can answer their questions, too. There isn't a long list of protocols or proper channels. In my position, I am one of the proper channels! When I talk to a vendor about finding a panel to take an online survey or getting a list of phone numbers in a certain ZIP code, I get to be the client. I can tell them what we need and they can tell me their best solution. And I haven't yet run into anyone who sounds like they don't enjoy talking with people. It really makes my job easier.

I've told my boss that she maintains a very empowering atmosphere. She recognizes that I'm new to all of this and will have plenty of questions along the way. But if I want to file something a little differently or change some simple things here and there, I can go ahead and do it and not feel like every little step will be scrutinized or need authorization first.

I still like my job and still show up every day. Of course there are moments that are frustrating and I wonder if I'm ever going to get a handle on all of it. But it's good to try new things. And this is the kind of place that will let me learn from the best and find my way through it all.

I think my business cards should be delivered tomorrow. That's almost as good as getting new school supplies!

Night-Before Jitters

Though I enjoy staying up late (and hate getting up "early"), it's about time to hit the proverbial hay. I officially start a new job tomorrow as a project manager for a market research firm.

I've had a week of training, but my predecessor is done now so Monday it's all me. It's a small company, with only a few full-time employees. There are about 10 part-timers, and a few people that work offsite, as well. I really think I'll be comfortable in a small group like this...a casual, cozy atmosphere. I'm not sure I'm cut out for a big corporate environment.

I'd met the owner a few times before when she worked on projects for the ad agency, so it's not like they're all complete strangers or totally foreign concepts. But it's still a new job, with tasks and people and processes and offices that are all new to me. I was at the agency for 11 years, and worked at a hotel for 12 years before that. I'm not used to being the new person! But sometimes you may not realize that you've been in a rut until you've gotten out of it. A fresh start can be a good thing!

I'll tell you more about the job once I've settled into it some. Wow...been awhile since I could say that I had an actual job. Might take a little bit to get used to that.

Do you remember the last time you started something new?

One Team, More Than One Place

A lot of people "go" to work, meaning they leave their residence and put in their time at the office, store, plant, or wherever.

They likely have some form of face-to-face contact with other employees, whether in a village of cubicles or just at that exact time of shift change.

A lot of people, however, "go" to work in their own homes. Now, you probably already knew this. I knew it, too. But I'm still new to this world of freelancing, so sometimes I have moments of realization about the meaning of this particular employment lifestyle.

Last weekend brought me some of those moments. I got a call a couple of weeks ago from the agency that has used my services before. They had a project for me coming up at the end of the month. I penciled it in, knowing I'd get more details as the date neared. On Thursday, I had a phone conversation with some of the agency people, outlining the plan of attack. And on Friday, the layouts started arriving in my e-mail. And they kept coming all weekend! Receive, review, return, repeat. If you'd been peeking in my windows, you'd simply have seen me sitting in front of my computer hour after hour after hour. It may not look like much from the outside. But non-leisure reading for that length of time can be draining!

What struck me as interesting is that there were three active teams (admittedly, some teams had only one member) in three different locations. One person laid out the pages. She e-mailed them to me. After I read them and made notes on the electronic file, I sent them back. She made changes and sent them to the folks at the agency office for a second review before being presented to the client. There was no need to be in the same building, and I never had to use the phone to talk to anyone during the process. Just me and my computer.

I hope that you don't get the impression that I'm new to this technology stuff. I'm just more used to everyone's technology being under the same roof. I have to say that the experience made me appreciate the tools a little more.

It can be nice to just walk down the hall and actually see the rest of the team working on the same project that you are. But it's also kind of amazing to be able to do it all from the comfort of your own personal space.

What have been your experiences working remotely? I'm looking forward to discovering more of both the pros and cons.

I'm a Happy Homemaker?

Almost forgot to take off my apron.

That even sounds weird typing it.

I remember my mom and grandmothers and all the ladies in the family wearing aprons, especially for holiday dinners. Of course, that's because they were usually wearing dresses (and heels and jewelry) that they tried to keep clean. Cooking, serving, doing dishes...make sure you've got an apron on!

I'm sure I wore one as a youngster, on occasion, too. I think I've recently seen a photo of us making homemade Christmas cookies. Flour? Frosting? Don't get any on your clothes!

But as an adult, I rarely feel the need to wear one. Either I'm wearing clothes that can handle a little hand wiping, or I'm just not doing anything...in the kitchen. (I'm not really much of a cook. Some might call that an understatement.)

But today I put it on while I washed a sinkful of dishes (the ones that don't go in the dishwasher). I left it on as my teen son and I made an apple pie from scratch. (Well, we used ready-made refrigerated crusts, but peeled and sliced actual apples!) Then I kept wearing it as I got some chicken breasts ready for the oven and as I cleaned up the kitchen after dinner.

It must be some sort of nostalgia thing. I just feel like one of the "grown-up women" when I put on an apron. Like a traditional wife and mother. Like playing "dress-up."

Last year I did take a few aprons off my mom's hands. The old-fashioned kind that tie around the waist, nice gingham checks, a little embroidery, even a tiny pocket (for what, I'm not sure). Just like Grandma used to wear.

Today, however, I used one I've had for ages, more utilitarian, with a particular adult beverage brand name featured prominently--a freebie from working in a beer tent years ago. Don't want to rush into this domestic goddess role too completely too quickly.

Kall it Kismet!

(No, that's not a typo in the heading. I'm just fond of alliteration.)

Yesterday I commented on Twitter how quiet I'd been lately. Not tweeting too much (or updating my Facebook status much either, for that matter). A editor friend responded, asking if perhaps I was so busy working that I hadn't time to tweet! I replied that sadly, that was not the case.

Mere moments later, I received a call about a potential freelance gig for next week (another read-through of the project I worked on in November). Cool!

Meanwhile, my Twitter buddy gave me a shout-out along the lines of, "If you need a proofreader, contact ProofingSandy!" Within about an hour, I'd picked up nine new followers. I promise to try to tweet enough to keep them interested!

Though I'm not personally familiar with this friend's editing work, I know her style and her personality. She's intelligent and hard-working. I respect her and her work. Clearly, so do other people. I knew she was influential, and people look to her for information and/or recommendations. Her mention of my name got a few people to check out my profile and decide I might be worth their time.

If you need a proofreader, please contact me. If you need an experienced and highly skilled copyeditor, please contact me...and I'll direct you to her.

Divine intervention that the phone rang right after we tweeted each other? Coincidence that I gained followers shortly thereafter? Perhaps. Or maybe it's just the power that is...Katharine. Thank you!

Do you have a good-luck charm in your life?

Getting Into the Christmas Mood

So here we are. Christmas is done, the New Year's celebrations are over. This week I'll probably take down the tree. (It's artificial, so it's not too time-sensitive.) There's a wreath out front, and some lights in the upstairs windows. I've promised myself I'll put everything back where it belongs and not just in a heap in the basement.

But wait a minute. I don't remember really having that super-duper Christmas spirit. Naturally, part of that is due to the loss of my father. I couldn't get motivated to do a lot of my last-minute high-pressure shopping and decorating that usually get me psyched. But I should have already been jolly well before then anyway.

I think it's due, in part, to the fact that I'm not going to a job every day. In past years, I've decorated my office. Some may call it cheesy. I call it personal style. And if it made my colleagues chuckle, then my work there was done. I've got about two dozen sets of Christmas earrings. Santa trolls, miniature ornaments, jingly bells...a different daily pair for several weeks leading up to the holiday. Add a few seasonal sweatshirts for the final countdown and I'm a regular ghost of Christmas present. But this year, most of the earrings went unworn. Just couldn't see wearing them if I wasn't leaving the house. It didn't help, either, that the local radio station that used to play Christmas music 24/7 starting at Thanksgiving changed formats. I played a few CDs at home, but I didn't have that guaranteed Jingle Bell Rock fix every time I got into the car.

This may mean that I need to make a resolution for the new year. Regardless of my daily schedule and location, I must try to do what I like to do for holidays. I honestly enjoy sprucing things up as the seasons change and holidays approach. I've got window clings and and decorative flags and earrings for just about every celebratory occasion. Why not use them? If they make me smile, that might make my family smile. And although my motives are far from being altruistic, the chance to spread a little cheer is a bonus.

I missed the boat a bit last year. But gosh darn it...I'm going to adorn, bedeck, and festoon my personal space like crazy whenever I can in 2011.

Anybody know where I can get a stuffed groundhog in the next few weeks? Shadow is optional...