Lets stop just 'eyeballing' it, eh?

Well, I did it, finally. It took me long enough. Its really hard to leave the security of a steady paycheck, paid vacation, 401K match, and a flexible workday. Did I make the right decision? Only time will tell. Initial thought is yes, as I'm not as stressed out, but it remains to be seen whether I can affect the change I envision.

My frustration working in big corporate America was that any change is a lengthy argument that has to pass through various testing phases and approval boards etc. You cannot simply make a decision and see what happens. Personally, I make up my mind about something and then I change... immediately.  That line of thinking, or perhaps personality flaw has led me down some rather interesting paths. I'm on the road to the future, where I can change things quickly, and if it doesn't work out I'll change again.

I am calm now, and I want to drive revenue. Back office transaction processing is not my forte. Its an important job, but I'm much more comfortable face to face. I do miss the playing around on Excel, but I'm confident there's a fair amount of finance process improvement I can sink my teeth into.

Bring on the #HappyHour!! Starting Thursday, October 9th just in time for Finance end of quarter, come in and eat, drink, and be merry at City Cafe in Rochester MN. 4-6pm drink and appetizer specials!!

That's a Fine Lookin' high horse

Time. How do you split yours? Each day, which percentage of time goes to what activity? It'd be cool if there were such monitoring devices. I'd like to be part of a study for said technology, who's creating it? Is IBM?

Why did I not introduce myself to Ed Shay today? Talk about a missed opportunity! Flush another one down the toilet...but there will be more, right? No. Not necessarily. There could be more, but you never know. Thats the thing about life, real life, you don't get to do it over again. {and right there, my friends, is the lesson in the cliche}

Its not over; not for me. Some people aren't so blessed. I get opportunities to meet people all the time. I'm not sure I'm cut out for executive leadership of a huge company, but I'm certain I can manage a smaller business. Financially and otherwise.

Take me to Church
Best song ever, right now. I cannot get it out of my head. Check it out, by Hozier. Video is pretty crazy too, its about love and hate, and the power of religion.

Don't follow this truck...for obvious reasons. Amen

Two chicken ceasars...to GO.

Hey lady, if you order to-go food 15 minutes before close at a restaurant, or anytime for that matter, leave a tip for the chef. Did you know the chefs get the tips on to-go food? Yep. They did all the work for that food you're eating, is it tasty?
So here's a tip:
You would tip if you ate at a restaurant, so tip if you're eating from a restaurant. Or just think about it. Will you enjoy the food you're about to eat? Do you appreciate the fact you don't have to cook for yourself?
You're in a position to do tremendous good for someone ... make it count. #thankachefgratuity

Dear big data Developers:

I want to analyze my own data. Do they make personal sized big data analytics tools? Haha, it's called Google, right...except I don't know of that functionality of Google, I bet people would pay for it.
The mine-o-saurs would say "its my data, i should control it" point of view...however mine-os didn't buy or create the servers that make it all possible, someone's gotta pay. Cloud software services.

I need a tool that will go out and get all my data..the data collected that's tied to me.

Dear software group developers, please work on that ;)

Celebrate life this Memoral day, the very life they fought for

Who doesn't believe in climate change?? As if its some kind of superstition. I don't know how you feel or think about the real life changes that are taking place in our human habitat, but I for one think if there is legitimate scientific evidence to support the idea or notion that human behavior has a direct impact on the global changes taking place all around us then we should take a minute or 30 to hear out the evidence.

Rather some people choose to take the stance this happening is some kind of fairy tale the liberal media concocted. Which side are you on, reader?

If you're reading this now, I'd like to know so please comment...     :)

Am I alone in my 'belief' or quest for real meaning? There's something, right...aside from all the things in this life? I'd like to see it all, but am strapped to my place as my turn is over.

Its their turn now, our beautiful children of this earth. They are the ones who will impact great change...if we leave enough in place for them to work with.

Happy Memorial Day to you, dear Reader. I hope you're well and having a great time in this life.  :)

The Bliss of Summer

Its finally Friday again, my most favorite weekday :)

I'm looking forward to spending time in the great outdoors with these two little monkeys. We're off on our first camping trip of the year after work/school today, and we're all really excited. The weather in MN is predicted to be BEAUTIFUL, which is such a relief after our miserably long winter.

This gateway to summer weekend, we'll soak up the sun, spend time with friends and just generally enjoy life. Cheers to all, and be peaceful to one another.

Lettuce turnip the Beet

Spring is here, FINALLY!!

Last Sunday was glorious, I spent the whole day with my kids as well as my garden. I planted a couple tomato plants, a lot of peppers, beets, radishes, spinach, lettuce, green beans, spaghetti squash, butternut squash, zuchinni, yellow squash, basil parsley, marjoram....and the asparagus is popping up. I also roasted this enormous beet that I bought from the Rochester Downtown Farmer's Market, isn't it beautiful? It was sweet, tender and delicious, and totally changed my opinion of giant beets.

This week the weather in Minnesota is predictied to be spectacular!! 78 degrees and sunny today and 70's all week. Weeks like these almost make up for the extended chilly winters in this region of the US...almost. 

I plan to take advantage of the nice temps and put the next rotation of beets, beans, spinach and lettuce in the ground...and I can't wait to reap what I sow. 

Here's to Friday

Ah Friday, the most favorite of workdays. Friday represents the last good push, the last effort of the corporate work week to tie up loose ends before enjoying a couple days of respite before the drag of Monday comes along.

Contrary to the e-card pictured, Friday is a most favorite day in my house, kids included. My kids love to look forward to sleeping in. They talk about it all week when I wake them up for school. "Mom how many days till I can sleep in?" This morning I got to say, "Time to get up for school, but tomorrow you can sleep in as late as you want!" This always brings cute, excited, and relieved smiles to my kids' faces, and makes my day. I love it that my kids like to relax in the mornings...life is too short for most of this hustle we do all week long. I look forward to snuggling up with them to watch cartoons tomorrow. Happy Friday!!

Who wanted to be President? All hands please.

Its not a job for everyone. A president is smart, kind, strategic and happy.

When I learned you could be President of the US at age 35, I thought "I must be something big by age 35." I never wanted to really be president; the job is too hard truthfully. There are so many people in this world who fight for power, blech. No fun at all.

So what are you at 35? Are you a CEO? CFO? Doctor, Lawyer, Nurse? Mom? Yes, I'm a mom at 35. When I was 24 I wanted 5 kids...so I got married and had my first daughter at 29. Only after I found out I was pregnant with my second child did I tell myself I should focus on my career.

<3    (Life is expensive and if you want to live a good one you're gonna need money.)

I think being a mom is something really big. As mom of this household, I'm pretty much the president of this family, and I'm good with that. This mom needs to have a bit more balance in her life.

I promised my kids I'd spend time volunteering in their school this year, and I intend to keep that promise ;)

Synergistic Management Solutions

When life brings you to a crossroad, you have to make a choice. Simple right? One way or another, your life will change and its all up to you. Here's what I want:

1. I want to volunteer at the very least ONE DAY per week at my kids' school.
2. I want to tuck them in at the very least THREE NIGHTS per week. 
3. I want to LEARN about the business I'm passionate about.
4. I want to make enough money to pay all my bills, take 4-5 weeks vacation and save $5k for retirement per year.
5. I want to ENJOY what I do. 

Is that too much to ask?? Appropriate balance is the very best friend of human existence, at least in my opinion.