Thought for the day

(credit: Jackie Kever)

"Every exit is an entrance somewhere else." ~ Tom Stoppard

I think I'm going to be ok

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It's a brand new day
The sun is shining
It's a brand new day
For the first time
In such a long long time
I know I'll be ok

~ from Brand New Day by Joshua Radin

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So far I'm loving the new job. It's demanding and exhausting and challenging and exhilarating. There are times when I wonder what the hell I've gotten myself into.

The rest of the time I can't believe how awesome it is.

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The thinks I thought 2 years ago:
I just found my dream job!

Another mitzvah

Hey, remember back in December when I took up the the challenge to give something to someone every day of the month?

Well, during that month (on December 27, to be precise) I decided to make a Kiva microloan to a group of people in Bolivia for their business. I was one of over 90 people worldwide who loaned small amounts to make up the $2625 total requested by the group.

Yesterday, 6 months later, my loan was paid back in full!

Today I took that money and re-invested it by making another microloan, this time to an entrepreneur in Togo who sells used clothing. Even though I made a very small (micro, really) contribution, it's still exciting to know that I'm helping to make a positive difference in this woman's life.

You can make a loan on Kiva too. It's easy and it doesn't have to cost a lot (you can start with as little as $25). Plus, it's gratifying ... and fun!

Thought for the day

(credit: cowbite)

"I was gratified to be able to answer promptly. I said I don't know." ~ Mark Twain

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It takes starting a new job to remind you how very much you don't know.

As embarrassing as calling the teacher "Mommy"

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I can't tell you how many times these words have almost been out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying and cut myself off!

Thought for the day

(via: Half-heartedly)

I paused for a moment & then somehow got caught up in the inertia of that pause -- but I'm moving forward again now

"The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn." ~ David Russell

I started a new job today!

I'm still with the same organization, but I'm no longer in IT. My new duties are similar, yet different. And better.

And they're new! And challenging! 

And I work in a new awesome building.  With new awesome people. 

I'm over the moon about this new job I can't believe how lucky I am to be working in such a vital, energetic, innovative business unit! All day today I kept wanting to ask someone to pinch me so I'd know for sure I wasn't dreaming.

Is it stupid that I'm also terrified that one day they'll discover I'm a fraud?

I mean, I don't think I'm a fraud.

It's just that ... sometimes ... I do.

If only it was that easy

(via: PunditKitchen)

How Europeans see America

click on the image to biggify
(via: digg)

Apologies to my American friends, but I have to admit this is kinda how we Canadians see America too.

Oh well, a lot of people think Canadians live in igloos and ride around on dogsleds!

I hate when it starts talking back

(credit: Savage Chickens)

You can't live with 'em and you can't kill 'em (and get away with it)

Before Husband and I bought a house, we lived for many years in rented apartments. And for many years we had to put up with thoughless, noisy, objectionable, and obnoxious neighbors. Don't get me wrong, we had some wonderful, thoughtful, caring neighbors too, but the nasty ones overshadowed them somewhat since the nasties tended to dominate our attention.

Dear Girls Above Me reminds me of all of the obnoxious neighbors we've ever had to put up with (except it's funnier).  But it reminds me most of all of the two girls who lived above us for awhile who so raucously "entertained" gentlemen callers — every afternoon.

Let's just say that "hookers" was the kindest name I ever called them.

(image credit: Enokson)

Thought for the day

(credit: Austin Kleon)

10 things challenge - week 4

In week 2 Husband and I went through our clothes and got rid of a bunch of stuff. I even organized my horrendously out-of-control closet.

We usually leave the management of Child's closet and dresser drawers to Child.  She puts away her own laundry and it's up to her to remove the clothes that don't fit or that she no longer wears.  So we let Child review the contents of her own closet and she contributed a few items to our donate-to-charity pile.

Shortly afterwards, Husband and I discovered that Child's "review" of her clothes had been superficial at best.  There were still tops and pants in her closet that hadn't fit her for two years!  And there were grubby little holey socks taking up most of one of the drawers! 

Husband and I helped Child take everything out of her closet and dresser and we went through everything with her, item by item, and decided what should be kept and what could be donated.  It was fun (I think Child even enjoyed it a little).  And it gave us an idea of what she has and what she's lacking in the way of summer clothes (she really needs shorts).

As you can see in the photo, we figured this was a good time to also get rid of the little hangers we used to hang Child's baby clothes on.  And don't be scared, that's just an old Halloween mask on top.

Why? ... Because you love me!

Are you who, what, where, or why?

Daddy's little office drone

(via: Gizmodo)

Your kid can have her own toy cubicle too ... for only $2500! It's a small price to pay to adequately prepare Junior to one day join the illustrious ranks of the working dead.


(via: Shoebox)

Thought for the day

(image credit: (I Am))

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." ~ Marianne Williamson

This birthday brought to you by the letter O and the number 41

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I've always identified with Oscar the Grouch. I admire his unapologetic disdain for just about everything.

Happy birthday, Oscar!