Living My 60th Year - Having Lunch and get a Bonus

Here's to a new year and remembering to eat lunch!

Yes, remembering to eat lunch.  I know that could sound strange.  

It's not the eating, I'm referring to.  I have my lunch, sometimes it is over the sink, grab a sandwich and run, or bring it back to my desk and consume it among the pile of paperwork.

I've been taking a full break for lunch lately and not at my desk.  Lunch is a pretty decent meal for me.  Many times it is left overs from the dinner before or a sandwich with fruit.  How much time?  About an hour, it's an hour I take time away from my work.

When I worked in a large office with lots of people around, this was what we did.  Somewhere around 10am we began discussing lunch.  Where to go, what we would like to have, who brought lunch and a host of questions.

Since I've worked for myself, that isn't the case.  I often talk to myself, though the subject matter isn't about lunch!  

What I have found, that by taking that break has allowed me to do a host of items that would had been regulated to some other part of the day.  I've done some fun reading; do part of the laundry;  or do some pick up around my non-working space.  Most of these types of tasks are 5 -10 minutes, though they feel like a received a bonus at the end of the day.  I find that I am a bit more focused during the balance of my day and accomplish work effectively.

Life is good, I get to have a better lunch,  a good break and am more productive for the balance of my day.  

What's your lunch break like?

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year publish -- Thankless Work

Thought I was done - almost!   I resigned last Thursday night; all eight executive board members were present and one member (a wife).  The executive team just sat there - not one word, not a question, nothing.  Not one person even said thank you.  

Resigning for me is very difficult because it cuts across why I volunteer.  

I was sad, feeling hurt and let down.  I spent the next day at a client and then with my farm partner for an early dinner and did some planning for our garden.  We had scheduled this date a couple of weeks ago.  I was so glad to have this distraction, a kind ear and a voice of reason to just listen to.
  

After we were done, I stopped out to visit with a few friends that were gathering in town.  That was when I was surprised that "they all knew about my resignation and NOW there are all the rumors?".

Unbeknownst to me, it was "leaked out" as one person said.  I didn't realize what big news that was and why couldn't the news be announced at the meeting we are having with all the members that was a week away?

Ok - this is drama and sounds like six graders on a playground!  You can't make this stuff up - time to begin to write the TV series.  This is childish and totally unprofessional.

One of the group I met up with Friday night , asked what was up.  I explained that I needed time for me and that I could not give time to the group any longer right now.  It doesn't mean I could not help out, I need time for me, now.  As I said ".... but not one person asked me why..."; I thought it prudent that I resign now as I would not be able to do my usual 110% job.  

It continues......  a couple hours later, the "news" was blasted on FaceBook on one of the pages I was a member and then I was locked out of the page by the Admin.  This has happened before because she didn't like that I agreed with a statement said.  I couldn't even remember and she took a week before she apologized for the behaviour.

My phone and computer began lighting up like holiday decorations.  The person that put it up was NOT at the meeting on Thursday night - so how did the information get out?  People sent me screen shots of the entry.  Let's say it is not a popular entry.  My phone/computer continue to ring throughout Saturday.   I met with several key folks on Saturday night at a graduation gathering for a friend here in Town.  I told them the same thing you read above.

The drama is not over.  Actually I've had time to reflect, who said hindsight is 20/20 was so correct.  For their irresponsibility, if I was spiteful, I say they will be getting what they deserve.  I'm not spiteful, and I would hope that it will be a lesson, learn it now or they will be dealing with internal drama and not meeting their mission!

So back to me feeling thanklessness.  When you decide to volunteer there are changes that happen to a person mentally and physically.  There is hope, optimism, passion, and a sense that your contribution will help the organization.  Personally, I don't expect much in return.  I do volunteer as I see the bigger picture and how that organization will help the community around us.  I do volunteer because I was brought up to give back to the community.

In a blog by Todd Henry - quoting "...... So much of what we do as creative is thankless. It’s process. It’s iteration. It’s cranking away with the hopes that the finished work will vindicate us (no emergencies needed). But no one sees the internal turmoil, the questioning or the little choices we make that cost us something. We make these choices because we love our craft, not because of recognition.  When we choose a path of contribution, it often means a choice to forgo recognition for our work. Commitment to excellence means doing things right even when it may never be seen by another living soul. "

Today is a new day.  I am even more committed to my decision to resign.  Nice opportunity - thanks for that, I'm on my way to better opportunities.

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Living My 60th Year --- What the past month meant to me

I've been away from writing for the last month, though I've been Living My 60th Year.  For this post --- I'll write about the life events that I've witnessed and enjoyed.

The last month has been hectic. The office buzzing with 12-14 hour days to meet the deadline of the "season".

One success during the 'season' is that my office has had the chance to be cleared of even more stuff!   For the first time in a very long time, my filing system worked the best and I could see my desk top many times throughout the working day.  

I enjoyed the lengthening of each day as the sun came up earlier and went down later in the day.  While we still change clocks - that is getting so old.  How about we split the difference and keep the clocks the same all year long?  Several states in the US don't ever change their clocks already!

Snow, Snow and more Snow.  My goodness, we, in New England got slammed especially near the Boston area.  Here was a mere 30"s or so - and it is almost gone.  Yes there are brown piles of ice still piled up in parking lots!

And while it snowed outside, I was creating crocheted snowflakes.  I set myself to make one a week and have kept up with that goal.  This past weekend I had some downtime while I helped out at the Connecticut Storytelling Festival.  I completed over a dozen tatted flowers - finished the spool of thread and ready to begin another one.  Then it was on to completing 22 ties that we use in the garden from some leftover yarn from the stash box.

I did some minimalizing  in my home - I'd sneak in few minutes in the morning and sometimes in the evening to eliminate  items that need to be donated or tossed!  The box is in the garage and is full - time to bring it to the donation center.

Spring, Spring and Spring -- hurry up already.  I was watching a squirrel this morning in the tree as he was eating the new buds appearing on the branches.  The bulbs of daffs and tulips are up and some open.  My lavender plant has survived the winter and is showing lots of green on it's branches.

We are set up for our farm plots - new pallets that were obtained over the winter that will help plant our herbs.  The reservations, this year three plots, have been made.  We have worked on the layout, especially with three plots!  Pam and I have made a date to work out the plans so that we are ready to go when they get the plots turned over.

This year our farm will be planted with seedlings that we have grown.  Thanks to Pam for sporting a new set up and we have lots of "kids" we have been taking care of.  She's been traveling lots, so I've been on watering duty.  

My guest room is back in season with a kick off of my nephew coming to stay with me two days after the 'season' was officially over.  We had a good time, learning more about him as he grows up.  He plans to come back after school lets out - we will have lots more adventures!

Later today a friend of mine is coming to stay for a week or so.  She used to live here and relocated to Georgia for lots of reasons.  So I've been picking up and moving more stuff around.  It's those pesky items that need to be taken care of and made done or gone!

One of the organizations that I volunteer with is not working for me any longer.  I do pride myself as someone that rolls up my sleeves and helps make a difference where I live.  It was a lesson my parents instilled in me at a very young age.  For me, now, it is time to move on.  There are plenty of ways to assist in their cause, I don't need to be part of a formal structure.  By the end of the week, all my i's are dotted and t's crossed so that I can turn it back.

I changed the line-up of items I do for myself at the end of the season and that made a difference.  This year - I made the housekeeper appointment for the day after the end of the season.  Between she and I, and help from her son (school vacation) we went through the whole place and it is now spic and span.  The personal appointments for doing my hair, nails, and massage were planned for a few days after.  So far I've really reaped the benefits.  So nice when the place is picked up and I can relax and appreciate it all :)

This past month has meant lots to me.  I've had time to reflect, to move away from certain items of the past, and reduce clutter and unneeded items in life.  I've spent time creating - always a good feeling.  I had the chance to visit with several individuals outside of my wonderful clients.  All in all - a good month.

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.