One of the sayings at my company (and probably most larger corporations) is "Be Here Now." It means that whatever you are supposed to be doing at that moment, do it with your entire mind/body/etc. so that you can accomplish it efficiently and with focus and then move onto the next thing.
It's a very simple and obvious concept (much like "to lose weight you just eat less and exercise more") but often proves difficult to execute.
When at work, you are supposed to be working. That is what you are paid to do. But besides Mr. Molly, I don't know anyone who just comes into the office, sits down at their desk, and works their butt off for 8 hours straight. Most people will do a little work, then check the internet, then do a little work, then email or IM a friend, then do a little work, then take a walk, then do a little work, then write your blog post, etc. Even when you are at work and actually WORKING it's sometimes hard to "be here now." How often do you see an executive in a meeting checking their blackberry/iPhone to see what emails they are getting or when/where their next meeting is going to be? You're talking and you know they aren't listening. It's frustrating.
Then you go home and you're supposed to be spending time with your children. But there is so much other stuff to do, you feel like you have to multi-task. You're checking your personal email, figuring out what's on TV, what's the weather going to be tomorrow, what do I need to buy at the grocery store, did I switch the laundry yet? You're getting texts from your friends and calls from your mom. Meanwhile your kids are in the basement screaming "Be here now!!!" or they would, if they were in corporate america and knew what that meant.
How many times when you're out to dinner or at a bar with friends or your spouse is your phone out on the table? What if you get a text, what if there is breaking Facebook news?
Why is it so hard to "Be Here Now"? Why are we so distracted and why do we feel it would be so horrible to miss out on anything?
I guess the first step is to admit that you are not "being here now." So now that I've admitted it, the much harder part it to execute on it. However, this weekend I am going to have a visitor in the Dream House who executes on "Be Here Now" better than anyone I have ever met in my life. No matter what she is doing, she is focused and in the moment. I really respect that, and I'm going to watch her this weekend and try to learn a few things. Can't wait to see you old friend!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
FINALLY (another post about catalogs)
Cindy gets at least 4 catalogs a day and it would be impossible for me to share them all with you. That first catalog post would have like 10 updates on it.
FINALLY yesterday she got the Chasing Fireflies catalog. I have been missing my kiddie clothes crack for 2 months now.
Chasing Fireflies brought me beautiful eye candy like this
Chasing Fireflies did a good job of holding me over. But I really hope that Jack and Jill are enjoying all of my Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, Polarn O. Pyret, Land of Nod, and Tea Collection catalogs, to name a few. Their daughter will be well-dressed.
FINALLY yesterday she got the Chasing Fireflies catalog. I have been missing my kiddie clothes crack for 2 months now.
Chasing Fireflies brought me beautiful eye candy like this
and these
and these
and these
and this, which I totally want BFF's daughter to wear for Halloween.
Chasing Fireflies did a good job of holding me over. But I really hope that Jack and Jill are enjoying all of my Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, Polarn O. Pyret, Land of Nod, and Tea Collection catalogs, to name a few. Their daughter will be well-dressed.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Progress
Last week was definitely a week of progress. Between bringing all that furniture back from my Grandma's house and my mom being here all week to make everything perfect and clean, I feel like the house is really pretty settled.
Sunday: Came home with a dining room table, 6 chairs, a china cabinet, a server/buffet, a triple dresser, a desk, and two twin beds.
Monday: Mom hung all the remaining pictures and rearranged some furniture. She also hung a rug on the wall in the playroom.
Tuesday: Mom spent a lot of time cleaning. Apparently, according to Mom, Cindy should be embarrassed at the state that she left the Dream House in, and she obviously has no idea how to clean. I didn't point out that I also have no idea how to clean. It was implied though since Mom had to purchase a bunch of cleaning supplies.
Wednesday: I don't remember what happened on this day, but progress was made.
Thursday: All at the same time the alarm guy, the electrician, and the furniture delivery guys arrived at Dream House. The alarm guy hooked us up with alarms on 3 doors and 3 motion detectors. The electrician hooked us up with 3 ceiling fans, one in each of the upstairs bedrooms. And the furniture delivery guys brought the leather sectional and ottoman. Phew!
Friday: Mom just cooked all morning because we had to go out of town (again) for a reunion (again) so that was the end of the progress.
Still much needs to be done and we are having our first BBQ with my very closest friends on Saturday. My girls will not judge me for what still needs to be done and purchased or how clean/unclean it may or may not be. Instead, they will celebrate with me and we will all enjoy each other's company. The men will drink beer and eat brats. The kids will destroy the playroom. The end.
Sunday: Came home with a dining room table, 6 chairs, a china cabinet, a server/buffet, a triple dresser, a desk, and two twin beds.
Monday: Mom hung all the remaining pictures and rearranged some furniture. She also hung a rug on the wall in the playroom.
Tuesday: Mom spent a lot of time cleaning. Apparently, according to Mom, Cindy should be embarrassed at the state that she left the Dream House in, and she obviously has no idea how to clean. I didn't point out that I also have no idea how to clean. It was implied though since Mom had to purchase a bunch of cleaning supplies.
Wednesday: I don't remember what happened on this day, but progress was made.
Thursday: All at the same time the alarm guy, the electrician, and the furniture delivery guys arrived at Dream House. The alarm guy hooked us up with alarms on 3 doors and 3 motion detectors. The electrician hooked us up with 3 ceiling fans, one in each of the upstairs bedrooms. And the furniture delivery guys brought the leather sectional and ottoman. Phew!
Friday: Mom just cooked all morning because we had to go out of town (again) for a reunion (again) so that was the end of the progress.
Still much needs to be done and we are having our first BBQ with my very closest friends on Saturday. My girls will not judge me for what still needs to be done and purchased or how clean/unclean it may or may not be. Instead, they will celebrate with me and we will all enjoy each other's company. The men will drink beer and eat brats. The kids will destroy the playroom. The end.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
UPDATED: Cindy's Catalogs
When you forward your mail (which Cindy finally did) your catalogs don't get forwarded. So I am getting some insight into Cindy's interests by seeing what catalogs she gets. It's actually very interesting to me because many of them I've never heard of, and I have been enjoying looking through them. In case you want to start getting some new catalogs, I decided to share them with you.
First: Rejuvenation, Classic American Lighting & House Parts
Here's my favorite room from that catalog:
Second: Uno Alla Volta, One at a Time
This catalog is totally not my style, but some of my more artsy readers might like it.
Third: NapaStyle, Celebrate the Flavor of Life
This catalog has lots of awesome stuff, but I especially loved this gem, perfect for a mudroom:
Forth: Linen Source, One destination. Endless possibilities.
If you want cheap sheets go here. I think they look cheap too, especially when you compare them to the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware catalog sheets.
Fifth: Two clothing ones I didn't get before; Athleta, Power to the She and Acacia, Healthy Joyful Living
This one is apparently owned by The Gap.
And over at Acacia, this is apparently the best selling "home decor" item:
Sixth: Just because I didn't know it existed, I give you PB teen
I'm probably a little too excited about this since I won't have teenagers until 2021.
And finally, the most bizarre catalog I have received in Cindy's name
Seventh: Sporty's Preferred Living, Distinctive Enhancements For Your Home
On the left: I totally need that!
Below:WTF is that pic!!??!!
UPDATE: Three more catalogs came that I wanted to mention.
The best one was Charleston Gardens which featured this awesome Woven Bed Swing
The most "run of the mill" was Garnet Hill, and the most random was Improvements.
First: Rejuvenation, Classic American Lighting & House Parts
Second: Uno Alla Volta, One at a Time
Third: NapaStyle, Celebrate the Flavor of Life
Forth: Linen Source, One destination. Endless possibilities.
If you want cheap sheets go here. I think they look cheap too, especially when you compare them to the Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware catalog sheets.
Fifth: Two clothing ones I didn't get before; Athleta, Power to the She and Acacia, Healthy Joyful Living
And over at Acacia, this is apparently the best selling "home decor" item:
Sixth: Just because I didn't know it existed, I give you PB teen
And finally, the most bizarre catalog I have received in Cindy's name
Seventh: Sporty's Preferred Living, Distinctive Enhancements For Your Home
Two things in particular cracked me up from this catalog.
 |
| "Please take your pills" is a friendly, automatic reminder of your daily prescription needs |
On the left: I totally need that!
Below:WTF is that pic!!??!!
 |
| One burst fends off troublemakers |
UPDATE: Three more catalogs came that I wanted to mention.
The best one was Charleston Gardens which featured this awesome Woven Bed Swing
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Normal/Average -> Healthy
When it comes to a woman over 30 who has had children, what is considered a normal weight/size/BMI?
According to this article,
The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average:
Ok, but is average the same as normal? When I think of normal I think of not extreme in either direction. I know very few women over 30 with children who I would consider "skinny." Those who are, tend to be work out fanatics or vegetarians. (Yes - broad generalization - sorry)
I am currently a size 10/12. Better than "average" in America according to many studies. According to Weight Watchers I am about 15 lbs over the maximum weight for my height. And I'm about 25 lbs over the lowest weight I've ever been as an adult (pre-children), and even 10 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight.
I think the lowest that I have weighed since having children and not while breast-feeding was still 9 lbs over the Weight Watchers maximum.
However, most people say that I look normal. When I look in the mirror I feel normal. Normal or Average are not good enough. Instead of using those words I need to change my vocabulary. My new word is Healthy.
I may consider myself normal or even better than average but when asked if I consider myself to be healthy my answer would be no. I don't eat enough fruits and veggies, I don't drink enough water, and I don't exercise enough. I think a healthy person should be able to go out and run 2 miles in 20 minutes or less.
I do honestly believe that your body changes after you have children and your metabolism changes after age 30, or 33, or whatever. I will never be a size 4, or even 6. But I'd like to be an 8. I'd like to be healthy, and fit comfortably into a size 8. And I think that when I get there, that should be my new normal.
According to this article,
The fashion industry assumes these standard measurements for a woman: 35-inch bust, a 27-inch waist, and 37.5-inch hip. In the real world, women ages 36 to 45 actually average:
- White: 41-34-43
- Black: 43-37-46
- Hispanic: 42.5-36-44
- Asian: 41-35-43
Ok, but is average the same as normal? When I think of normal I think of not extreme in either direction. I know very few women over 30 with children who I would consider "skinny." Those who are, tend to be work out fanatics or vegetarians. (Yes - broad generalization - sorry)
I am currently a size 10/12. Better than "average" in America according to many studies. According to Weight Watchers I am about 15 lbs over the maximum weight for my height. And I'm about 25 lbs over the lowest weight I've ever been as an adult (pre-children), and even 10 lbs over my pre-pregnancy weight.
I think the lowest that I have weighed since having children and not while breast-feeding was still 9 lbs over the Weight Watchers maximum.
However, most people say that I look normal. When I look in the mirror I feel normal. Normal or Average are not good enough. Instead of using those words I need to change my vocabulary. My new word is Healthy.
I may consider myself normal or even better than average but when asked if I consider myself to be healthy my answer would be no. I don't eat enough fruits and veggies, I don't drink enough water, and I don't exercise enough. I think a healthy person should be able to go out and run 2 miles in 20 minutes or less.
I do honestly believe that your body changes after you have children and your metabolism changes after age 30, or 33, or whatever. I will never be a size 4, or even 6. But I'd like to be an 8. I'd like to be healthy, and fit comfortably into a size 8. And I think that when I get there, that should be my new normal.
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