Day two in RMNP and we packed up camp and played some hack (and yes, believe it or not, I actually participated... not well, but who cares?) I can definitely see the appeal now! :-) It was fun and I can just imagine how much more fun it would be with actual coordination!
The hike up to Tonahutu was over 5 miles but with a more gradual ascent than we experienced the day before. I pretty much would try to pick my spot at the back of the pack.... I was very conscious of how slow I was, or at least perceived myself to be. This was a bit unfortunate because I really wanted to experience the hike with Devin, who happened to be one of the fastest ones in the group (something to do with his legs being a foot longer than mine or something).
I was pleasantly surprised to realize that my endurance and strength had greatly improved just since the trip to Blue Ridge.... thank you very much Wii and EA Sports Active! The pack carried well and although I got a bit of a ribbing about how light my pack was in comparison there were two factors that went into it: As far as percentage of body weight, I was up there with everyone else and my pack is just a little ladies pack - only fits so much! :-)
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The RMNP Backpacking Trip - Part 1
After a year of planning, we finally did our backpacking trip in Rocky Mountain National Park. Leading up to the trip I was a bit nervous (re: the hike, altitude, being cool and fitting in - ha ha). I had only done one backpacking trip prior which was our 2-day trip to Blue Ridge Reservoir here in AZ with Telle and Kristin. Not quite the same as 6 days with a group of 10 in RMNP.
The original plan was to rent a couple of bear canisters up in Denver for our food, since they are now required. I was a little hesitant for a couple of reasons - I wanted to make sure the food we were bringing was going to fit into 2 canisters and also, if we're going to be backpacking frequently, perhaps we should just buy a couple. With that thought in mind, Devin didn't reserve our rental canisters. The day before we're flying to Denver, we run to REI to get the canisters. Only problem, they're sold out. They call the Denver REIs - they to are sold out and no rentals available. This is where procrastination really irritates me!
Our food for 6 days...
Starting to panic a bit, we both start calling every possible sporting goods store in the Phoenix area and are told over and over that they are sold out. I finally hit the jackpot at Sports Chalet. A quick stop, and with 2 bear canisters in hand, we finish up our shopping, focusing on food. At home, we planned our meals, laid out everything, and I made a batch of homemade granola bars (YUMMY!). The plan was to cook one dinner for ourselves and two dinners for us and Telle and Kristin. They would cook on the opposite nights. So here was the first challenge - create delicious dinners, not out of a package.
Devin decided on rice, velveeta, bacon bits, spices, Taco Bell fire sauce, packaged chicken, all wrapped in a tortilla. I went a little more ethnic with a recipe for chicken curry. Our first night meal, I used rice, powdered spaghetti sauce mix, velveeta cheese and chicken.... do you see a theme emerging? We decided to go easy on breakfast with oatmeal, and lunches of either snack mixes or Ramen with tuna. All laid out, we packed the canisters and were impressed that it all fit perfectly.
To complicate our preparation, we also needed to pack for our Chicago trip to Brooke's graduation, as we were going to simply touch down in Phoenix long enough to switch out our bags before getting on another flight.
With backpacks all set and everything packed into two hockey bags and our Chicago
bags all situated, we were on our way. The flight to Denver was unremarkable although the landing was a bit scary as we bounced wing to wing. Somehow the pilot managed to land on the wheels first. Mike picked us up at the airport and we headed over to his cousin Reuben's house where we were going to meet up with the rest of the group and spend the night. We rendezvoused with Kristin, Telle, Pat, and Kristen at Sports Authority, grabbed fishing poles and a fishing license, and then did a practice run with our tents in Reuben's backyard. Pizza, beer, and some light rain made the night perfect.
The next morning everyone packed up their gear, filled their nalgenes, loaded up packs into Mike's truck and we were off. The ride up to RMNP was beautiful and Mike filled us in on local information, what the roads were like during a snowstorm, etc. We stopped at a spot close to the park, in Grand Lake, to have breakfast at the Bear Cafe. Incredibly local and non-commercialized, the waitress took our order with her baby on her hip. The portions were generous and the food was good. Satisfied, we continued on our journey to the RMNP visitor's center to pick up the permits.
At the trailhead, everyone took their time situating their gear, played a little hackey-sack, took some pictures and then we were ready. The first day we were to hike to Big Meadows. Although only a 1.8 mile hike, we w
ould be adjusting to 50+ pound packs, a significant gain in altitude, and a pretty steep climb.
I decided to start out in my boots, hoping for better luck than I had at Blue Ridge, but probably 1/3 of the way in, I realized it was a no-go and switched over to my sandals. Unfortunately, not quick enough to prevent a loss of 3 toenails and some pretty gnarly blisters. At first the altitude got me. I had a hard time filling my lungs and was disappointed in my ability to keep a quick pace. But after awhile my body started to adjust and I welcomed the burn in my legs, the sweat, and the increased heart rate (must have been my endorphin rush!). The path was beautiful and the air smelled so good. (one of the things I miss most about Maine is that smell....).
After a few hours of pretty strenuous hiking, we arrived at the site which was surprisingly in a big meadow... (hmmmmm wonder why it's called Big Meadow). The actual group campsite was an island of pine trees plopped in the middle of the meadow. A creek that was alive with fish, snaked it's way through the meadow and was a perfect source for water filtering. After pitching camp, we filtered water, did some fishing, and then enjoyed an evening of good food, company, and the famous hooch. Life was good!
The original plan was to rent a couple of bear canisters up in Denver for our food, since they are now required. I was a little hesitant for a couple of reasons - I wanted to make sure the food we were bringing was going to fit into 2 canisters and also, if we're going to be backpacking frequently, perhaps we should just buy a couple. With that thought in mind, Devin didn't reserve our rental canisters. The day before we're flying to Denver, we run to REI to get the canisters. Only problem, they're sold out. They call the Denver REIs - they to are sold out and no rentals available. This is where procrastination really irritates me!
Our food for 6 days...
Starting to panic a bit, we both start calling every possible sporting goods store in the Phoenix area and are told over and over that they are sold out. I finally hit the jackpot at Sports Chalet. A quick stop, and with 2 bear canisters in hand, we finish up our shopping, focusing on food. At home, we planned our meals, laid out everything, and I made a batch of homemade granola bars (YUMMY!). The plan was to cook one dinner for ourselves and two dinners for us and Telle and Kristin. They would cook on the opposite nights. So here was the first challenge - create delicious dinners, not out of a package.
Devin decided on rice, velveeta, bacon bits, spices, Taco Bell fire sauce, packaged chicken, all wrapped in a tortilla. I went a little more ethnic with a recipe for chicken curry. Our first night meal, I used rice, powdered spaghetti sauce mix, velveeta cheese and chicken.... do you see a theme emerging? We decided to go easy on breakfast with oatmeal, and lunches of either snack mixes or Ramen with tuna. All laid out, we packed the canisters and were impressed that it all fit perfectly.
To complicate our preparation, we also needed to pack for our Chicago trip to Brooke's graduation, as we were going to simply touch down in Phoenix long enough to switch out our bags before getting on another flight.
With backpacks all set and everything packed into two hockey bags and our Chicago
bags all situated, we were on our way. The flight to Denver was unremarkable although the landing was a bit scary as we bounced wing to wing. Somehow the pilot managed to land on the wheels first. Mike picked us up at the airport and we headed over to his cousin Reuben's house where we were going to meet up with the rest of the group and spend the night. We rendezvoused with Kristin, Telle, Pat, and Kristen at Sports Authority, grabbed fishing poles and a fishing license, and then did a practice run with our tents in Reuben's backyard. Pizza, beer, and some light rain made the night perfect.The next morning everyone packed up their gear, filled their nalgenes, loaded up packs into Mike's truck and we were off. The ride up to RMNP was beautiful and Mike filled us in on local information, what the roads were like during a snowstorm, etc. We stopped at a spot close to the park, in Grand Lake, to have breakfast at the Bear Cafe. Incredibly local and non-commercialized, the waitress took our order with her baby on her hip. The portions were generous and the food was good. Satisfied, we continued on our journey to the RMNP visitor's center to pick up the permits.
At the trailhead, everyone took their time situating their gear, played a little hackey-sack, took some pictures and then we were ready. The first day we were to hike to Big Meadows. Although only a 1.8 mile hike, we w
ould be adjusting to 50+ pound packs, a significant gain in altitude, and a pretty steep climb.I decided to start out in my boots, hoping for better luck than I had at Blue Ridge, but probably 1/3 of the way in, I realized it was a no-go and switched over to my sandals. Unfortunately, not quick enough to prevent a loss of 3 toenails and some pretty gnarly blisters. At first the altitude got me. I had a hard time filling my lungs and was disappointed in my ability to keep a quick pace. But after awhile my body started to adjust and I welcomed the burn in my legs, the sweat, and the increased heart rate (must have been my endorphin rush!). The path was beautiful and the air smelled so good. (one of the things I miss most about Maine is that smell....).
After a few hours of pretty strenuous hiking, we arrived at the site which was surprisingly in a big meadow... (hmmmmm wonder why it's called Big Meadow). The actual group campsite was an island of pine trees plopped in the middle of the meadow. A creek that was alive with fish, snaked it's way through the meadow and was a perfect source for water filtering. After pitching camp, we filtered water, did some fishing, and then enjoyed an evening of good food, company, and the famous hooch. Life was good!
The plan for the rest of my life...
I am most decidedly at a significant crossroad in my life - the closing of one very large, sometimes painful, chapter, and the opening of an entirely new and different chapter.
There are four main currents of change at work: first and foremost, after 23 years of being a mom (more than half of my life), my children are now all grown and out of the house. I will always be a mom and very involved with their lives, but it's so different when you have two on different coasts.
The second current of change is our business. Little did I know when I chose to leave my cushy corporate job that my business and professional life would take such an incredible path. While the company is still most definitely in a start-up phase and we've yet to reap any significant financial benefits, there is no doubt about the success that lies so near to us. I believe strongly that we have perfected our business model and it's surprisingly simple: Do the right thing by our clients ALWAYS, go above and beyond, and build our business based on referrals and results. The most beautiful thing about my "job" (other than it doesn't feel like a job) is that it travels with me. This allows us to live anywhere in the country and still be able to work.
The third current of change is the remarkably nostalgic birthday I will be celebrating exactly 8 weeks from today. The big 4-0. Here's the nostalgic piece to me... my assumption going into it is that I have, from that point, lived the majority of my life. I may make it to 80 or beyond, but statistically speaking I have less years ahead of me than behind me. Which, quite honestly, doesn't bother me in the least, however, it does spur me on a bit to maximize all of my remaining days and years. I feel like I'm 18, just smarter and stronger. I love the person I am becoming. I love that I still have a lot of lessons to learn and a lot of growing to do. I love knowing that I have no boundaries and no limits. That, I believe, is the beauty of age! My new motto in life: no more wasted days.
The fourth current of change, although definitely not the least impactful, is my marriage. Although we have been married for two years, this is the first time we are experiencing life alone - just the two of us. My favorite thing is "doing life" with my husband... whether it's working on the business, doing stuff around the house, or shopping at Costco. He is my partner, my best friend, and there is nothing I look forward to more than just continuing to grow our love, our marriage, and our life.
So that leads me to the rather auspicious title of this blog... the plan for the rest of my life. Now don't think that I am so conceited or stupid as to think I can truly plan out my life... that's in God's hands, however, I can plan out my approach to life.
First off, Devin and I have been talking about how interesting and exciting it would be to choose ten destinations around the US and live for one full year in each location. To me, this is an absolute dream. I have the attention span of a gnat and am incredibly restless. The promise of annual change is completely exciting to me. For Devin, who was born and raised here in AZ, I imagine that while exciting, it's somewhat nerve-wracking as well. His entire network is here: friends, family, hockey. I have a virtual network, with most of my friends and family back east, and my girls scattered literally from coast-to-coast.
We fueled our excitement by purchasing a huge wall map of the US and began identifying where we would like to live. After 13 years in the desert, I'm dying for seasons and the ocean, preferably the Atlantic. Never quite warmed up to the Pacific as much. However, we both admit to being somewhat wimpy when it comes to cold and snow. We want to experience both city living and country living.... so here's the final top 10 list, in no particular order:
There are four main currents of change at work: first and foremost, after 23 years of being a mom (more than half of my life), my children are now all grown and out of the house. I will always be a mom and very involved with their lives, but it's so different when you have two on different coasts.
The second current of change is our business. Little did I know when I chose to leave my cushy corporate job that my business and professional life would take such an incredible path. While the company is still most definitely in a start-up phase and we've yet to reap any significant financial benefits, there is no doubt about the success that lies so near to us. I believe strongly that we have perfected our business model and it's surprisingly simple: Do the right thing by our clients ALWAYS, go above and beyond, and build our business based on referrals and results. The most beautiful thing about my "job" (other than it doesn't feel like a job) is that it travels with me. This allows us to live anywhere in the country and still be able to work.
The third current of change is the remarkably nostalgic birthday I will be celebrating exactly 8 weeks from today. The big 4-0. Here's the nostalgic piece to me... my assumption going into it is that I have, from that point, lived the majority of my life. I may make it to 80 or beyond, but statistically speaking I have less years ahead of me than behind me. Which, quite honestly, doesn't bother me in the least, however, it does spur me on a bit to maximize all of my remaining days and years. I feel like I'm 18, just smarter and stronger. I love the person I am becoming. I love that I still have a lot of lessons to learn and a lot of growing to do. I love knowing that I have no boundaries and no limits. That, I believe, is the beauty of age! My new motto in life: no more wasted days.
The fourth current of change, although definitely not the least impactful, is my marriage. Although we have been married for two years, this is the first time we are experiencing life alone - just the two of us. My favorite thing is "doing life" with my husband... whether it's working on the business, doing stuff around the house, or shopping at Costco. He is my partner, my best friend, and there is nothing I look forward to more than just continuing to grow our love, our marriage, and our life.
So that leads me to the rather auspicious title of this blog... the plan for the rest of my life. Now don't think that I am so conceited or stupid as to think I can truly plan out my life... that's in God's hands, however, I can plan out my approach to life.
First off, Devin and I have been talking about how interesting and exciting it would be to choose ten destinations around the US and live for one full year in each location. To me, this is an absolute dream. I have the attention span of a gnat and am incredibly restless. The promise of annual change is completely exciting to me. For Devin, who was born and raised here in AZ, I imagine that while exciting, it's somewhat nerve-wracking as well. His entire network is here: friends, family, hockey. I have a virtual network, with most of my friends and family back east, and my girls scattered literally from coast-to-coast.
We fueled our excitement by purchasing a huge wall map of the US and began identifying where we would like to live. After 13 years in the desert, I'm dying for seasons and the ocean, preferably the Atlantic. Never quite warmed up to the Pacific as much. However, we both admit to being somewhat wimpy when it comes to cold and snow. We want to experience both city living and country living.... so here's the final top 10 list, in no particular order:
- Savannah, GA
- Chicago, IL
- Boston, MA (that's my choice! so it only has one star!!)
- Seattle, WA
- San Francisco, CA
- Juneau, AK
- Somewhere in Hawaii
- Somewhere in PA - preferably a small farm
- Southern CA (San Diego-ish)
- Denver, CO
Our thought is to start out at the cheapest place to live, which definitely leaves out SF, Hawaii, and Boston. Savannah is a good option or potentially somewhere in the Carolinas.
If things happen they way we think they will, the plan will begin to unfold next Spring. I can't wait! We'll ride out the winter here, which is perfect, and then set off on our decade of exploration! Our goal is to live light, slim down, be portable and rent in each location. And we'll just see how it goes. Maybe we'll get somewhere and decide that's where we want to put down roots or maybe we'll decide to start looking internationally (much more plausible if the business takes off!).
I always have a book going or planned in my head, so needless to say the Decade of Exploration will make for a great book!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Things I LOVE....
1. As I've mentioned in many other posts, I LOVE working with my husband. And interestingly enough, we are total opposites, but I know that's what makes us great together. For example, I look over at his desk: Totally spotless. Not a piece of paper. Nothing. A laptop closed neatly. Now look at my desk: Two glasses, one water bottle, one Rt 44 cup from Sonic (that's Sinara's), piles of books (PMBOK 4th Ed, PMBOK Q&As, Our coursebook, workbook, etc), our new PPM calculator in sexy lime green, Brooke's sr. pictures, a box of Christmas cards (because I'm sending Brooke one every day), note paper, stickies, home phone, cell phone, highlighter, picture discs, etc, etc, etc. [Personally, I think this just shows my creative genius at work!]. But bottom line, we're both committed to this business and making it succeed.
2. My niece, Sinara (CC). She seriously ROCKS. I am having so much fun with her and although I'm sad that we've missed the past 15 years together, I'm thrilled about the future. She is just incredible - just like my other three nieces and my three daughters! It must be something good salvaged from this gene pool!
3. My job - I know, I know. I already kinda mentioned it above, but it's just incredible. Yes, there are many, many long days and nights, but it's so worth it.
4. The office phone - like the call I got today from a gentleman in Wisconsin. Registered him and his co-worker for our class in Chicago. LOVE calls like that!
5. Facebook - yeah, it sounds silly, but it's really borne friendships and relationships that didn't exist before and gives me this virtual network of amazing friends!
6. Wii - Totally, 100% addicted. The most incredible invention EVER. I seriously just love everything about it. Playing Mario Kart, boxing, my EA Sports Active trainer.... it's awesome.
7. My puppies.... and yes, I say this with real, legitimate tears. They are such amazing little creatures who love me and trust me completely. It breaks my heart to know that we will have to give them up. I know, deep down, it's the right thing, but that certainly doesn't make it any easier. So far, we haven't found homes for them and I just don't know what to do. It's going to be a tough few months.
2. My niece, Sinara (CC). She seriously ROCKS. I am having so much fun with her and although I'm sad that we've missed the past 15 years together, I'm thrilled about the future. She is just incredible - just like my other three nieces and my three daughters! It must be something good salvaged from this gene pool!
3. My job - I know, I know. I already kinda mentioned it above, but it's just incredible. Yes, there are many, many long days and nights, but it's so worth it.
4. The office phone - like the call I got today from a gentleman in Wisconsin. Registered him and his co-worker for our class in Chicago. LOVE calls like that!
5. Facebook - yeah, it sounds silly, but it's really borne friendships and relationships that didn't exist before and gives me this virtual network of amazing friends!
6. Wii - Totally, 100% addicted. The most incredible invention EVER. I seriously just love everything about it. Playing Mario Kart, boxing, my EA Sports Active trainer.... it's awesome.
7. My puppies.... and yes, I say this with real, legitimate tears. They are such amazing little creatures who love me and trust me completely. It breaks my heart to know that we will have to give them up. I know, deep down, it's the right thing, but that certainly doesn't make it any easier. So far, we haven't found homes for them and I just don't know what to do. It's going to be a tough few months.
Monday, June 29, 2009
And so it begins...
I consider today the beginning of a six-month stretch of craziness. And is it sick that I'm excited about it?? :-)
Here's how the next six months play out:
June: Finish up new revisions to curriculum including customization for our new HUGE client!
July: Santa Ana, Washington DC, Boston, Rhode Island
August: Denver (and Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park backpacking trip!!!), Chicago (for Brooke's graduation), Chicago (PMP class), Scottsdale (PMP class)
September: Santa Ana, Atlanta, Dominican Republic (VACATION!!!)
October: Boston, Paris (MAJOR VACATION!!!!!)
November: Honolulu, Scottsdale (and possibly adding a Denver)
December: Dallas and I'm thinking maybe the last two weeks in Belize?
Last week we picked up two corporate clients that will be using our materials - and this is without any type of advertising or marketing. We haven't even posted that information on our site... in addition, we will be posting our new study aides page up soon. Craziness. But I love every minute of it. I love working with our students and getting them ready for the exam. I love working with my husband. Seriously, I have a dream job.
I find joy in the fact that I'm truly making the most of life - and everything it has to offer. Living my life with passion.... and appreciating every single moment.
Like this past weekend at church. First of all, Pastor Ray ROCKS. There is something so incredibly soothing to the soul to be there, surrounded by love and faith. It makes you realize what truly is important in life. It's not money, it's not possessions, it's not stature. It's love. It's His love.
I like to think I mirror that in our business. We do truly care for our clients, who soon become our friends. We care about their well-being, their success. We want to build them up and make them realize that they can succeed. And we will help them every step of the way.
Here's how the next six months play out:
June: Finish up new revisions to curriculum including customization for our new HUGE client!
July: Santa Ana, Washington DC, Boston, Rhode Island
August: Denver (and Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park backpacking trip!!!), Chicago (for Brooke's graduation), Chicago (PMP class), Scottsdale (PMP class)
September: Santa Ana, Atlanta, Dominican Republic (VACATION!!!)
October: Boston, Paris (MAJOR VACATION!!!!!)
November: Honolulu, Scottsdale (and possibly adding a Denver)
December: Dallas and I'm thinking maybe the last two weeks in Belize?
Last week we picked up two corporate clients that will be using our materials - and this is without any type of advertising or marketing. We haven't even posted that information on our site... in addition, we will be posting our new study aides page up soon. Craziness. But I love every minute of it. I love working with our students and getting them ready for the exam. I love working with my husband. Seriously, I have a dream job.
I find joy in the fact that I'm truly making the most of life - and everything it has to offer. Living my life with passion.... and appreciating every single moment.
Like this past weekend at church. First of all, Pastor Ray ROCKS. There is something so incredibly soothing to the soul to be there, surrounded by love and faith. It makes you realize what truly is important in life. It's not money, it's not possessions, it's not stature. It's love. It's His love.
I like to think I mirror that in our business. We do truly care for our clients, who soon become our friends. We care about their well-being, their success. We want to build them up and make them realize that they can succeed. And we will help them every step of the way.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Pinch me... I must be dreaming
Today is the kind of day you dream about..... you hope for... but you know in reality, life is really not this good. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up at any moment, and yet, my hot flashes tell me I'm awake (because, of course, in good dreams, there are no hot flashes... that's what makes them so good!).
Here's how the day unfolded....
Well, never mind, to truly appreciate the day's events we have to go back in time a bit to the past weekend. Devin and I were looking at class enrollment and trying to decide what was going to happen for us financially. Yes, the business was picking up, but we still didn't have solid enrollment numbers in quite a few of our classes and the clock was ticking. I felt myself teetering on the edge of self-doubt and wondering if we were truly going to make it with this new business.
Now fast-forward to today. We woke up to a call from someone interested in our classes. She was wonderful and I talked her through the application process, our role, our classes, etc. It was just the early morning jump-start I needed.
Downstairs in the office, starting our day, I'm thrilled to see an email come across from a large pharmaceutical company seeking an on-site training program. I'm totally jazzed. I know the pharmaceutical industry and in fact, used to run drug trials for this very same company. They are big, they have lots of project managers, and they have money for training. We set up a call for next Tuesday and if the day ended with that, I would be thrilled. But it got better...
Based on a tip from an instructor who has used our course materials, I reached out to a gentleman that owns a training company. Technically, he is our competitor from a class perspective, but quite honestly, there's enough business to go around. I had sent him information about our courseware and he let me know he was interested and could I send him a copy. He followed that email up with an inquiry if we had any instructors available. Interestingly enough, it was a week I was open. I shot him back a proposal - use our course materials to pilot during that class and I would facilitate it for him at a discounted rate.
We talked on the phone shortly thereafter and hit it off immediately. He was northeast, so that of course helped! He loved our website and our business model. We talked about why we were different, what our philosophy is, etc. and he was sold. So I will piloting our materials in a class for him in a few weeks and then he's looking to switch over to our courseware.
This is a huge victory on a number of fronts. First of all, the materials they currently use come from a company that is run by a guy I don't really respect. He is one of those pompous in-your-face kind of guys and I love that a small mom-and-pop shop like ours is going to beat him out because of QUALITY! Secondly, the income from selling the courseware alone covers all of our expenses. Third, we are only a month into this new segment of business and it's growing so fast.
Now interestingly enough, prior to my conversation with him, I nudged Devin a bit regarding our Paris trip. We are doing a home exchange with a wonderful couple in Paris - and they've had their tickets for awhile. I tell him we really need to get our tickets soon - that's just not one of those trips that we should wait until the last minute. I've been hoping that we could get tickets on United fairly reasonable, because I want the miles to go on my account. Amazingly enough, as I say that to him, I find the lowest tickets on United. He nods, I click. Holy crap - I just bought two tickets to Paris. It's real. It's going to happen. I literally jump up and down in the office, scream, cry, and about pee my pants. I bought tickets to Paris. I'm going to Paris for my 40th birthday. I have dreamed about this since I was a little girl and it's finally happening!
To continue our winning streak, we decide to check out tickets to Dominican Republic. We were "coerced" into another vacation this fall - splitting a timeshare with Telle and Kristin in DR for a week. Unfortunately, the timing was a bit off and we needed a multi-city ticket to fly Phoenix to DR to Boston to Phoenix. At first it looks like it's going to be just shy of $800 each for the multi-leg ticket. Then, as I'm looking at it, a flight comes up from Delta for less than $500. Two trips for under $500 - crazy. We're living large on life, so I book it.
So to summarize the day:
1. Great client call
2. On-site sale to large pharmaceutical company (of which there will be multiple classes)
3. HUGE courseware sale to training company
4. Tickets to Paris
5. Tickets to Dominican Republic
And then to celebrate, we hung out in the pool for a few hours and then topped it off with dinner at Chilis.
Seriously..... is this a dream???
Here's how the day unfolded....
Well, never mind, to truly appreciate the day's events we have to go back in time a bit to the past weekend. Devin and I were looking at class enrollment and trying to decide what was going to happen for us financially. Yes, the business was picking up, but we still didn't have solid enrollment numbers in quite a few of our classes and the clock was ticking. I felt myself teetering on the edge of self-doubt and wondering if we were truly going to make it with this new business.
Now fast-forward to today. We woke up to a call from someone interested in our classes. She was wonderful and I talked her through the application process, our role, our classes, etc. It was just the early morning jump-start I needed.
Downstairs in the office, starting our day, I'm thrilled to see an email come across from a large pharmaceutical company seeking an on-site training program. I'm totally jazzed. I know the pharmaceutical industry and in fact, used to run drug trials for this very same company. They are big, they have lots of project managers, and they have money for training. We set up a call for next Tuesday and if the day ended with that, I would be thrilled. But it got better...
Based on a tip from an instructor who has used our course materials, I reached out to a gentleman that owns a training company. Technically, he is our competitor from a class perspective, but quite honestly, there's enough business to go around. I had sent him information about our courseware and he let me know he was interested and could I send him a copy. He followed that email up with an inquiry if we had any instructors available. Interestingly enough, it was a week I was open. I shot him back a proposal - use our course materials to pilot during that class and I would facilitate it for him at a discounted rate.
We talked on the phone shortly thereafter and hit it off immediately. He was northeast, so that of course helped! He loved our website and our business model. We talked about why we were different, what our philosophy is, etc. and he was sold. So I will piloting our materials in a class for him in a few weeks and then he's looking to switch over to our courseware.
This is a huge victory on a number of fronts. First of all, the materials they currently use come from a company that is run by a guy I don't really respect. He is one of those pompous in-your-face kind of guys and I love that a small mom-and-pop shop like ours is going to beat him out because of QUALITY! Secondly, the income from selling the courseware alone covers all of our expenses. Third, we are only a month into this new segment of business and it's growing so fast.
Now interestingly enough, prior to my conversation with him, I nudged Devin a bit regarding our Paris trip. We are doing a home exchange with a wonderful couple in Paris - and they've had their tickets for awhile. I tell him we really need to get our tickets soon - that's just not one of those trips that we should wait until the last minute. I've been hoping that we could get tickets on United fairly reasonable, because I want the miles to go on my account. Amazingly enough, as I say that to him, I find the lowest tickets on United. He nods, I click. Holy crap - I just bought two tickets to Paris. It's real. It's going to happen. I literally jump up and down in the office, scream, cry, and about pee my pants. I bought tickets to Paris. I'm going to Paris for my 40th birthday. I have dreamed about this since I was a little girl and it's finally happening!
To continue our winning streak, we decide to check out tickets to Dominican Republic. We were "coerced" into another vacation this fall - splitting a timeshare with Telle and Kristin in DR for a week. Unfortunately, the timing was a bit off and we needed a multi-city ticket to fly Phoenix to DR to Boston to Phoenix. At first it looks like it's going to be just shy of $800 each for the multi-leg ticket. Then, as I'm looking at it, a flight comes up from Delta for less than $500. Two trips for under $500 - crazy. We're living large on life, so I book it.
So to summarize the day:
1. Great client call
2. On-site sale to large pharmaceutical company (of which there will be multiple classes)
3. HUGE courseware sale to training company
4. Tickets to Paris
5. Tickets to Dominican Republic
And then to celebrate, we hung out in the pool for a few hours and then topped it off with dinner at Chilis.
Seriously..... is this a dream???
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Father's Day...
Father's Day is always interesting for me, and this year is no exception. Since having my girls, I wanted nothing more than for them to have a "good" father. A father who could balance me and provide them with wisdom, guidance, and love. A father that would demonstrate to them exactly the type of man they should seek as their husband. As is typical for me, I was looking for a being that could be placed in a box. "A" father. Singular, not plural. I now realize that (oh God forgive me for quoting a Clinton) it does truly take a village to raise a child and although I was seeking a singular being, they were receiving fatherly influences from many men (and women) in their lives.
Don't get me wrong, I've always wanted at least one of my girls to be a daddy's girl, and through no fault of their own, that just never happened. But they gave it 110% - they played boy sports, they liked boy music, etc. I didn't raise prissy girls! Unfortunately, my girls have had their share of paternal abandonment. However, as I look back over their childhood, although they may never have had one stable father in their lives, they have been blessed with stable relationships with wonderful men from whom they can learn lessons and be thankful for their love.
I would be remiss if my top accolade didn't go to my husband. Here is a young man who stepped up in a way that is almost unheard of in this day and age. Not only did he take on a wife and three children, those children were teen-age girls. Seriously, could there be anything worse? But in a short time, he was able to show them respect, love, discipline, morals, Godliness, and so much more. I will be forever grateful for the role he has played and is playing in their lives. And I pray that when they settle down, they will use him as a role-model and not settle for anything less.
The next award would have to go to my step-father who, although he is not blood, he has been my father since I was six. He was the one who made sure I had clothes on my back, food on the table, and showed me absolutely no mercy after staying out all night partying. He taught me to work hard, to manage my finances well, and to appreciate everything I had. He taught me to take pride in myself and my contributions, and to never, ever rest.
I had an incredible conversation with him tonight, one that I will remember for many years to come. I thanked him for being my "dad" and I told him that blood didn't matter. I thanked him for the years he was there when most people would have turned and run. He opened up to me...expressing his sadness and regret. Wishing that he had been more disciplinary with my brother and less mean to me. He wished he had been one of those top executives with a big paycheck. I told him "no", they are the ones who miss out on the most. I was grateful for who he was and what he gave to us.
Think about this.... I am almost 40. It's been 22 years since his youngest child left, and yet, he still struggles with these thoughts. That struck me as so sad.... and so I did what I could. I thanked him, again. I told him I loved him. I recounted all of the things that I believed he added to my life. I told him of my recent discussion with Devin in which I graded myself on each of the girls. Devin, so wisely, told me that the grades were not mine, rather they were the girls. I raised them all the same and they had the option and opportunity to do with the circumstances what they would like. There was only so much I could control. With my step-dad, there was only so much he could control.
I remember so clearly one act of kindness from him that will be etched in my mind forever. It was the day I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified, and guilt-ridden, and emotionally distraught. My mother would not speak to me. My boyfriend broke up with me. My friends didn't know what to say. And yet my step-dad sat beside me and said "what would you like to do, sweetie". He showed me a kindness and empathy in that moment that no one else around me gave to me. And for that, I will forever be grateful.
And then there's my Dad, my biological father. He's been a point-in-time, a reference, a series of singular events that in reality don't truly add up to fatherhood. But I don't blame him. I love him. Looking back, I think perhaps he did the best he could under the circumstances. There are things that I treasure about him - I love his love for the outdoors, his ability to grow the most amazing gardens, his work ethic that truly defines him. I love his no nonsense approach to life and his keen sensibility that was somehow lacking in the other half of my gene pool. I look at him, all 5' of him, and know that there are so many of my genetic attributes that I can attribute to him: my staggering height, my laugh lines around my eyes, my solid "sturdy Maine stock" legs, and my absolute love for the outdoors, for the water, for everything wild.
I would not trade those things for a million dollars. He created the foundation and my step-father built the walls. I, and I alone, was responsible for the finishing touches, the decorations.
I got a message from my long-lost sister-in-law today, wishing me Happy Father's Day. Acknowledging the fact that as single moms, we play both roles. I can't say I won't always feel bad and feel guilty that I didn't raise the girls with a Dad, yet at the same time I can honestly say I did the best I could and I pray they take, and appreciate, the best from those three strong men mentioned above. Because I know I will always appreciate it....
Don't get me wrong, I've always wanted at least one of my girls to be a daddy's girl, and through no fault of their own, that just never happened. But they gave it 110% - they played boy sports, they liked boy music, etc. I didn't raise prissy girls! Unfortunately, my girls have had their share of paternal abandonment. However, as I look back over their childhood, although they may never have had one stable father in their lives, they have been blessed with stable relationships with wonderful men from whom they can learn lessons and be thankful for their love.
I would be remiss if my top accolade didn't go to my husband. Here is a young man who stepped up in a way that is almost unheard of in this day and age. Not only did he take on a wife and three children, those children were teen-age girls. Seriously, could there be anything worse? But in a short time, he was able to show them respect, love, discipline, morals, Godliness, and so much more. I will be forever grateful for the role he has played and is playing in their lives. And I pray that when they settle down, they will use him as a role-model and not settle for anything less.
The next award would have to go to my step-father who, although he is not blood, he has been my father since I was six. He was the one who made sure I had clothes on my back, food on the table, and showed me absolutely no mercy after staying out all night partying. He taught me to work hard, to manage my finances well, and to appreciate everything I had. He taught me to take pride in myself and my contributions, and to never, ever rest.
I had an incredible conversation with him tonight, one that I will remember for many years to come. I thanked him for being my "dad" and I told him that blood didn't matter. I thanked him for the years he was there when most people would have turned and run. He opened up to me...expressing his sadness and regret. Wishing that he had been more disciplinary with my brother and less mean to me. He wished he had been one of those top executives with a big paycheck. I told him "no", they are the ones who miss out on the most. I was grateful for who he was and what he gave to us.
Think about this.... I am almost 40. It's been 22 years since his youngest child left, and yet, he still struggles with these thoughts. That struck me as so sad.... and so I did what I could. I thanked him, again. I told him I loved him. I recounted all of the things that I believed he added to my life. I told him of my recent discussion with Devin in which I graded myself on each of the girls. Devin, so wisely, told me that the grades were not mine, rather they were the girls. I raised them all the same and they had the option and opportunity to do with the circumstances what they would like. There was only so much I could control. With my step-dad, there was only so much he could control.
I remember so clearly one act of kindness from him that will be etched in my mind forever. It was the day I found out I was pregnant. I was terrified, and guilt-ridden, and emotionally distraught. My mother would not speak to me. My boyfriend broke up with me. My friends didn't know what to say. And yet my step-dad sat beside me and said "what would you like to do, sweetie". He showed me a kindness and empathy in that moment that no one else around me gave to me. And for that, I will forever be grateful.
And then there's my Dad, my biological father. He's been a point-in-time, a reference, a series of singular events that in reality don't truly add up to fatherhood. But I don't blame him. I love him. Looking back, I think perhaps he did the best he could under the circumstances. There are things that I treasure about him - I love his love for the outdoors, his ability to grow the most amazing gardens, his work ethic that truly defines him. I love his no nonsense approach to life and his keen sensibility that was somehow lacking in the other half of my gene pool. I look at him, all 5' of him, and know that there are so many of my genetic attributes that I can attribute to him: my staggering height, my laugh lines around my eyes, my solid "sturdy Maine stock" legs, and my absolute love for the outdoors, for the water, for everything wild.
I would not trade those things for a million dollars. He created the foundation and my step-father built the walls. I, and I alone, was responsible for the finishing touches, the decorations.
I got a message from my long-lost sister-in-law today, wishing me Happy Father's Day. Acknowledging the fact that as single moms, we play both roles. I can't say I won't always feel bad and feel guilty that I didn't raise the girls with a Dad, yet at the same time I can honestly say I did the best I could and I pray they take, and appreciate, the best from those three strong men mentioned above. Because I know I will always appreciate it....
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