Sleepy Kitten!

So I am no longer unemployed; I'm currently "overemployed" to be honest.

I was contacted by a local non-profit to take over a contract position until the end of December. I accepted eagerly because it's a group I feel passionately about. I love the work they do, I enjoy helping them however I can.

A week into my contract I was offered a full-time permanent position in the private sector (it's a strong, vibrant, community minded business with a fabulous philanthropic sense).

So now I am working on contract, trying to get up to speed in my evenings for the new position starting in January. It's only a few days in but lordy am I am ever TIRED!

I guess it's back to dreaming about sleeping in!

A Day for Love*

I love

... the smells of autumn, crisp air, holiday baking, pine needles. I love cooler weather... I adore snuggly sweaters, tights, scarves, beautiful boots. I enjoy being in that perfect outfit, wandering downtown, christmas shopping before the crowds set in.

... my morning routine. It calms me. I wake up, get ready for the day, I check email, read my morning news, immediately handle anything that can be taken care of quickly. I just love that sense of catching up, feeling informed, and being in charge of my day.

... that moment when you're reading a new book and fall in love. For me it's an instant, one minute I am kind of enjoying the read and then I am loving the read. Sometimes it's love at first site, other times it takes me a chapter or two to fall so deeply, other times I never fall, and every once in a while I walk away before I'm done. And there's a part of me that enjoys that too, the knowing when a book is not for you and it's time to walk away.

... singing, dancing, giggling with abandon but I also love being in charge, knowing what's happening next, managing the details of a project, and seeing said project through to completion.

... that sense of accomplishment you get when things go off without a hitch. Whether it's the perfect dinner party with friends, a night out with the girls, a job well done on a project at work, or a volunteer event I've helped organize. I love when life's easy, when everything's lined up so the events of the day to day are seamless.

... dreaming about my future, planning, strategizing, figuring out what the plans could, should and will be. I want to make a difference, impact people's lives for the better, and I love making plans so I can accomplish just that. Sometimes it feels silly but then I tell myself how can something that I love so much be silly! Figuring out how I can have greater impact??! I say it's a great thing.

*I challenge you to make your own list or leave a love of yours in the comments. The only catch? You can't include a single person you know on your list. No "I love the way my husband laughs" or "I love hearing my little girl call for me." It'll be tough, I know. But this particular little exercise is about stripping away everyone who defines you and figuring out what you (not his partner; not their mother/daughter/sister/friend) love.

We Are Not Our Circumstances

Becky Blanton's tear jerking story about hope

A Few of the Favs

The weather in San Francisco wasn't what I had hoped for. It was pretty much miserable. Typhoon Parma had swept some nasty weather across the Pacific. San Francisco was subject to torrential rain, a few miserable days and lots of fog and mist...which some might argue are essential San Francisco experiences. While it made sightseeing on foot challenging, I soldiered on and managed to catch a few fantastic photographs. The sun did peek out every once in a while; it was exciting I tell ya, it was everything I had expected of late summer in San Francisco.

A Catalogue of Sorts

Richard had a conference in San Francisco a short while ago, I joined him. It was always the plan, I would take a week off work, go with and enjoy a rather impromptu vacation. The trip was punctuated by the job loss, while it was nice to relax upon my return from San Francisco, knowing I wouldn't have to go back to work hurt my heart a little...well a lot really....

I have been taking some time to catalogue why I loved my job so much...what made going to work so easy...

Here's the shortlist I have come up with.

• I worked for a cause; knowing I was working for an organization that improved the lives of families in need made my heart soar.
• Each and every day I was challenged to think critically about a project and how it would benefit the community. Each day I came to understand the mission of our organization on a deeper and more meaningful level. I had to communicate, communicate, communicate what that meant to us as an organization and make sure that message was understood by others.
• I got to be an advocate and pseudo spokesperson. I LOVED speaking about the project, updating others, communicating project news,
• I connected with volunteers daily, I got to know, befriend and learn from those who cared as deeply as I about the mission. I built great relationships with board members, campaign volunteers and program volunteers.
• I learned that I have a passion for non-profit governance. I have always had an interest in all things political, but prior to this job I was only marginally aware of my love of governance...how and why organizations are run a particular way, how boards interact with senior management and what this means for strategic planning. This has lead me to some hefty reading and learning I am excited to do.
• While not a member of the senior management team, I worked incredibly closely with senior management. The Project Manager, CEO, CFO, Regional General Manager all in part became mentors to me. I learned so much from each and everyone of them, I appreciated the opportunity to work for and with people who offered me so much of themselves. They gave me opportunities to work on projects not related to the project office I worked for and because those opportunities I was able to learn, grow, even mentor others.

________________________

Some days I wallow a little, I sit on the couch watching Martha and worry I wasn't passionate enough, capable enough, talented enough to be kept around. I then remind myself that I tend to wallow in the irrational.

I am a talented employee, with vision and drive and a passion to lead, I knew the finances.... I have to remind myself that the senior management who became mentors to me are willing to help me however they can to find that fabulous next step. I know they recognized my talents and that means a lot.

The Thud

For the last two years I have been working in the non-profit industry on a very important (or at least in my mind) project. I have loved every second of the work I've done and the team I have had the pleasure of working with.

As of this past Friday I am out of work. I'm laid off. We need a major "partner" to move forward and the logical "partner" isn't moving quickly. So without that guarantee our small project office has had to downsize. We've gone from 3 to 1. My boss, my wonderful, thought provoking, supportive boss (the best boss and mentor I have ever had) is the only one left. He's trying to get the "partner" on board.

I have been aware of the project's reality since I started working there but it doesn't make the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach go away. The first few days of the layoff seemed like a vacation; it doesn't feel like a vacation anymore. I am loving watching Martha (mmm sweet potato gnochhi) but I would love more to know that the "partner" has come on board. I know how important this project is to the community; I have worked so hard to see this get done and it hurts my heart that the project is stalled. I have always hated being stuck in a sense of limbo and that's the best way to describe where the project is - project limbo.

I wish I knew the best way to move forward myself...what to do next...but right now I am sad; the thud didn't feel so great (I know thanks captain obvious, right?). Any thoughts? Insight? Advice? Would be much appreciated...

The Swell Season

Sad music has always helped me put life in perspective; contemplative, achingly beautiful music makes me feel happy. I know it's the catharsis I crave; that I need, that makes me love this genre of music. Anyhow, I think Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova create and epitomize the type of music I love... thank you for sharing with the world your love; your beautiful music; your passion.

I can not wait for your new album to come out!

Struck a Chord

A Ted Talk on living life passionately, meaningfully, wholly and deeply. I'm certain Sandor Teszler would have been a kindred spirit of mine.

Parliament Sunset

Rich and I went on a Quebec/Ontario tour last week. We decided to drive up to Montreal visit an old friend, then slowly make our way back through Ontario stopping in our favourite Canadian cities along the way. We had a fabulous time, ate all of our favourite foods (which we're hard-pressed to find rural Ontario). Japanese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese... mmm! It was a great week enjoying the simple pleasures of life...friends, family, dinners out, good wine, laughter and fun. Thanks to all our hosts along the way!!

Back from the Metropolis'

Rich and I were on vacation this past week, I plan to post a few pictures either tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime enjoy...



Thanks Sweetney for pointing us to this fabulous cover.

Where I dream about entertaining...

Oh My!

So in love with Built By Wendy... and they seem to be having a sale....

Loving Today

I am all about love today...finding pleasures in small things...

So I plan to share the 'love' I have found on the interwebs this week.

I would love to live in a house like this.

I need to find a way to vacation here. The $520 a night room rate makes me sad, but I am sure it would be worth it!

I want this bag. Yellow or brown?? I don't know....

Adorable greeting cards - might be needed for the obsessive greeting card collection.

And a Tree Kangaroo!

Can't Stop Listening...

Cause this song just makes my heart happy!



Enjoy!!!