Caution: Philosophical Post

I spent the past two days at cognitive coaching training. Cognitive coaching is a way to conduct a planning, reflecting, or problem solving conversation with someone that leads to deeper thinking. It's about paraphrasing and pausing and questioning.

This word stuck with me . . . . HOLONOMY.
Never heard that word before.

Basically (I think) it means that we each exist within big systems (family, work, scrapping community, etc.), but that we also exist as an individual who influences each system. We need to achieve balance within ourselves to maximize our potential influence.

Otherwise, our own neuroticism (Yes. I'll admit I can be neurotic.) messes not only with ourselves, but also with the system.

Kind of feeling powerless in a new job, I'm totally thinking about my systems and where I can make the biggest influence and trying hard to put my energy there.

Lovin' this quote:
"We provide both irritation and inspiration for each other--the grist for each other's pearl making." --Stephen Nachmonovitch

A Little CJ Action

I have to admit, the whole Pea-u-tiful mess has kind of jaded me about CJs. We started with 12 girls. One refused delivery from the get-go. That leaves 11. Now--I hate to say this--we're at a point where it looks like only 2 of the 11 might actually get a book back for sure.

Know what stinks the most about it?!? The 9 who it appears might get screwed are the ones that are working the hardest at it!

I'm not really angry at anyone, just disappointed. I understand life gets complicated and busy and hectic and unpleasant, but I'm just not the kind of person who is comfortable letting other people down.

ANYWAY. . . .

I'd like to thank all the Bloggin' Babes for keeping their CJ fabulous. Thanks to Hailey who always send on time and emails a tracking number. Thanks to Emily for the cute little thank you note. Thanks to Kat for organizing it all. And thanks to Muriel for helping me find my CJ mojo. Here's my creation for Muriel's drink book.



P.S. I know it was supposed to be in the mail today. Here I am, complaining about CJs gone bad, and I'm sending mine out late. :)

A few things . . .

1. A belated happy birthday to the fabulous Emily!
Happy birthday to my favorite scrappy, vegetarian, Wisconsinite, cart-driving music teacher. So sorry the Badgers couldn't pull off a victory for your big day! Hope you had a great day, anyway.

2. Shout out to Grandma Audrey.
She had a heart valve replaced on Wednesday and is recovering like a rock star. She is everything a grandma should be--in-touch with all the family members all the time, a fabulous cook, and ultra-crafty. Not to mention, a devout reader of my blog. Here's to a quick return to home and normality!

3. Scrapping
Brad and Memphis have deserted me for the entire day in favor of hunting some sort of creatures. So, I got my scrap on. This is what I've finished so far. Both are for contests at Scrap-Tastic.

September Contest: Use PP from no more than 4 manufacturers

Ms. Scrap-Tastic Beauty Pagent--Rd. 4 (Ad Inspiration)

McFan

After the rollercoaster ride that was the three-hour season two finale, I knew I'd be just a little let-down after tonight's big Grey's premiere. I didn't cry a single tear! I cheered once, and I'm confident that there are great things in store for my favorite health care professionals.

Alex--has perfected the slime ball thing. And, I think he's getting a little cuter. Still think it would be interesting if he slept with Addison. Maybe. He did take an interest in the premie baby tonight after swearing he wanted nothing to do with the gyno squad last season.

Addison. She took the panties home?!? And washed them?!? Seriously. She is a time bomb. Can't wait for her to flip out.

Izzie. Guess she really did love Denny. Plus, I can't help but think her neck must really hurt from all that laying on the bathroom floor.

Christina--Can't believe that all she has to do to be forgiven for acting like a total bitch when Burke was injured was to shed a few tears and say she hopes he never dies. Too bad forgiveness isn't that easy in real life.

George. How cute is George? In that nice boy, uninteresting kind of way, of course. He's actually so cute that I'm starting not to be too bugged by Callie.

Dr. Bailey. What a cool thing to see another side of Bailey. She's always so tough. Not tonight.

Finn. Blah, blah, blah. Too boring. Too nice. Just not for Meredith.

Meredith and Derek. He love her! He. Loves. Her. Know what? Even if she doesn't pick him, I take comfort in knowing that he loves her. Aw. I hope she picks him.

Okay. I recorded it so I could watch it over and over until next week's episode happens.

P.S. Did I mention---my Internet was restored to all it's fabulous glory today?!? Woohoo! I am wired.

Pregnant Karen

Part 1: Karen

One of my co-workers (who I work closely with) is having difficulty learning my name. She referred to me in emails several times as "Karen."

She referred to me to my face as "Karen" on Friday.

Her: Karen, will you help with this?
Me: Barb
Her: No. My name is Agnes.
Me: No. My name is Barb!

Part 2: Pregnant
On Saturday, I was at a meeting. A fellow committee member congratulated me on my good news. I started babbling about how much I love my new job.

She stopped me and pointed to my stomach.

I assured her I was most certainly NOT expecting a baby or any other type of creature.

She went on to tell me that, "Shirts these days just look like maternity shirts."

Um. Yeah. That made it so much better.

Side Note:
My Internet will be fixed on Thursday between 9am and 11am. Expect me to do some crazy blog reading over the weekend. I apologize and am feeling horribly un-connected.

Recipe for Happiness

On my way to work, for $4.10 I got a non-fat, no-whip, caramel mocha and this tidbit of wisdom staring at me with every drink.

(My cup didn’t have a cardboard warmth protector on it today. Maybe this has been on my cup every single day, and I’ve never noticed.)

Recipe for happiness: an insatiable curiosity, a joy of discovery, quick to forgive, hold no grudges, love without condition, stay loyal to the death, see the best and ignore the rest—wow, we can learn a lot from man’s best friend!

--Nick Bolletieri

What is your recipe for happiness?

Lots of Stuff

Lots of random things to take care of today

# 1: Happy birthday to the fabulous Angie.
A girl really couldn't ask for a better friend. Hope all of your days of birthday bliss are completely fabulous.

# 2: Personality Flaw
One of my flaws (I have many) is that I get irrationally angry about very small dilemmas. Basically, I'm a planner and get ANGRY when things don't go according to plan. I set aside my entire Saturday (8am - 5pm) to get my stupid Internet serviced. To make a long story short--it didn't go well. I ended up cancelling my Internet service in an angry huff.

We have a new provider (phone, Internet, cable), but we can't get it hooked up until the 21st!!!!!! No Internet until after the 21st. This is going to be a problem. I'm currently camped out at Starbucks paying bills and catching up on some essential blog reading.

So . . . . I am not an irresponsible person or a bad friend if I don't visit your blog for the next two weeks. I just don't have access.

UGH.

Stupid

My stupid Internet broke last night. The stupid people who supply me won't be able to fix it until sometime between 8am and 5pm on Saturday. Um. Yeah. That's good customer service.

My husband's stupid dog peed on the floor last night. I have the smell of pee stuck in my nose from the clean-up efforts this morning.

It's going to be a great day.

Signing off until sometime between 8am and 5pm Saturday.

Some LOs

In between all the cleaning, organizing, and laundry I've tackled so far today, I thought I'd share some scrappiness.

2 Years Together

Q&A (for Ms. Scrap-tastic Beauty Pagent)

I'm off to take a shower and then to the grocery store. Making spaghetti tonight.

Back to School

Tomorrow is the big day--back to school.

Back to school always involved some traditions in my house.

1. School shopping. One vivid memory is that I always got two pairs of shoes--tennis shoes and dress shoes. I always wanted fun little dress shoes, but my parents made me buy Mary Janes. This went on for what seemed like forever (but really was only until third grade). Now, ironically enough, I think Mary Janes are super cute.
2. Back to School Bedtime. My mom ran a great scam with this. She'd make us practice our back to school bedtime for at least two weeks before school started. Everyone else was enjoying staying up late for the last weeks of summer. Not us. Bed by 8pm.
3. The Photo Opp.. My mom was seriously crazy about this. She's line us up outside of the house and take countless pictures of us with our first day outfit and jam packed backpack. Maybe I'll see if I can find one of the infamous shots a little later to share with y'all. Sometimes she'd even follow us to the bus stop.

As an adult, I still do the back to school shopping. Love it! I try to the the back to school bedtime, but I know I'll be up until midnight worrying about tomorrow. As for the back to school picture, my mom lives far enough away that I don't have to worry!

What are your back to school memories?