Making Lemonade

Lately it seems women all around me are asking me for tips of how to do it. "It" being juggling home, family and career of course. (What were you thinking? I'm so not an expert on that. Ahem.) So anyway, I thought I'd share my shortcuts, tips and tricks for holding it all together. If you've got a burning question, pressing conundrum or just want to find a way to remember that this morning was Show and Tell before it occurring to you in the middle of your 10am staff meeting, then just shoot me an email. I'll answer all of your questions as best as I can once a week.

I'm helpful like that.

Hoodwinked

We've been looking for Fall boots for Chatterbox everywhere. Every store that we've been to has a cute selection of boots in her size, but she doesn't like anything. Except for "the boots like yours, Mommy." Meaning my faithful Uggs, of course. "Ha ha" I laughed to myself - "maybe when you're old enough to get a J-O-B."

Six hours and an entire mall later, Hubby and I found ourselves at the cash register at Nordstrom's...size 1 Uggs in hand.

That's my girl.

My Style

Last week I took a Leadership Training Workshop at work. The purpose was to teach us how to become better team leaders in the workplace. The interesting thing that I wasn't expecting was that the lessons I learned really apply to my life outside of the office also, and gave me great insight into myself. Sounds trite, I know.

The foundation of the training was that D.I.S.C. personality inventory, developed by William Moulton Marston. Basically the premise is that each of us have a very distinct and predictable pattern of observable behavior sounding in one of these dimensions (for the most part each of us have some of each these dimensions in our personality, but we generally have a tendency to exhibit one of them more than the rest):

"D"ominance: To the point, decisive and bottom line oriented. These people tend to be independent and results driven. They are strong-willed people who enjoy challenges, taking action, and immediate results.

"I"nfluence: Optimistic and outgoing. They tend to be highly social and out going. They prefer participating on teams, sharing thoughts, and entertaining and energizing others.

"S"teadiness: Empathetic & Cooperative. These people tend to be team players and are supportive and helpful to others. They prefer being behind the scene, working in consistent and predictable ways. They are often good listeners and avoid change and conflict

"C"onscientiousness: Concerned, Cautious & Correct. These people are often focused on details and quality. They plan ahead, constantly check for accuracy, and what to know "how" and "why".

We took a personality assessment prior to the training and answered questions that resulted in each of us receiving a comprehensive, 17-page profile about how we respond to different situations in the workplace. No surprise here; I scored highest in the "I" or "Influence" dimension. And I have to say, that the assessment was dead on. There was even a page on "Things NOT to do while communicating with Fergie." Things such as:

• Don't leave decisions hanging in the air
• Don't talk in a loud voice or use confrontation
• Don't be dictatorial

The "Do's" were equally right on target:

• Do provide a warm and friendly environment
• Do be sincere and use a tone of voice that shows sincerity
• Do support your communications with correct facts and data

What's funny is that it became crystal clear to me why I react the way I do in certain situations, based on that assessment. It's been extremely useful - just within the past week - in helping me to cope with interactions with those with a very different communication style from mine.

I'm an "I." And I like it.

The Hole In My Pantyhose

Today I had to get all dressed up for work, which is a rarity. I was participating in a media training workshop and this morning we had to do a mock interview on camera, with a reporter asking us questions and the whole bit. Yesterday we were given instructions to follow when it came to selecting our interview wardrobe. Solid, colors, simple jewelery, natural makeup. I went through the mental checklist again as I looked down at myself before the camera started rolling. But, oh wait -

"GAPING HOLE IN THE LEFT KNEE OF MY STOCKING" IS NOT ON THE LIST.

Hmmm. Why is that?

Rainy Day

The perfect rainy day schedule:

9am - wake up. watch cartoons.

10am - eat pancakes, eggs and sausage for breakfast.

11am - do Kindergarten homework. Read stories.

12pm - check email. do "workouts" led by a hyper-energetic 5 year-old.

1pm - eat indoor picnic lunch on the new bedroom carpet. [shhh...don't tell dad]

2pm - run outside to ride bikes and burn off some energy while there's a break in the rain.

2:30pm - dry everyone off after getting soaked.

3pm - have a dance party to Toddler Tunes and Kidz Choice channels on TV.

5pm - enjoy pasta dinner.

6pm - Movie Night Part I: Kids Turn

9pm - Movie Night Part II: Mom's Turn

11pm - sleep.

In The Movies

Things that happen in the movies that always crack me up:

• Turning off the TV to answer the door
• Eating Chinese food out of the boxed containers with chopsticks
• Bubble baths with impossible mountains of bubbles

My Ever-Lovin' To Do List

Are you a To Do List-er? I totally am. Always have been. My best friend from college used to tease me about and try to hide my planner full of lists because she said I was too Type A. But I loved my planner (and still do). The thing is, it seems that the items on my To Do List never actually get done anymore. There is always something "more important" or "more pressing" that bumps my planned list out of the way. And so, here I am at least 2 WEEKS later, with the same junk on my list. What's even more sad is that the stuff that gets bumped usually has to do with home, since work and Blogalicious can't suffer...

And so it is Monday once again. A fresh start to the week and yet another chance to tackle my To Do List. In theory.

TO DO

• Make a list of the new furniture that we are planning to purchase and how much it will cost.
• Run monthly income/expenses to see if I can work part-time by the time Chatterbox starts Kindergarten.
• Send Thank You cards and family photos to the guests who attended L'il Buddy's Christening.
• Upload photos from camera, starting with Cousins' Reunion pics from Memorial Day.
• Write blog review posts for cookbook, kids' cooking set and diapers.