Today's wealth is about health. I have a cold and I'm pathetic when I have a cold and even more so when I know exactly how I created it. I hate that. I knew it as I was doing it and I did it anyway and now I have a cold.
It's a situation at work and since I don't want it to live in perpetuity here on the internet, suffice it to say that it may be resolving itself and I'm praying that it does. I needed a reason to be off work this weekend and the kicker is that now that I have it, a cold, I know I won't use it because in order to use it I have to get a doctors note and I don't want to go through everything that entails to get one. So, I'll suck it up and go to work anyway. I know, I'm perfectly stupid but there we go.
So, more tonight than anytime in the past months do I appreciate my wealth of health that I usually enjoy fully.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Day 20
A ball. Such a simple object yet it can bring almost incomprehensible joy and utter devastation to those both playing with it and watching the players play. Right now I'm watching Amy doing her best to entice me to play with the ball with her. So far it's bounced off of my nose, my computer screen, my shoulder, my nose and my coffee cup. She has tossed it, pawed it, laid on it, dropped it, slinkied it down the stairs, chased after it, bitten it, squeaked it and laid her head on it so that it let out a very slowwwwww painful squeak.
Cordy has a ball too but he's not deigning to play with it yet. So far he just wants to keep his ball away from Amy-girl dogs have cooties you know. Oh, there he goes, he squeaked it. (First time he's played with anything since January YAY!) Now Amy is running down the stairs to toss her ball at him. Yep, he now has two balls- two different tones being squeaked at once.
Now Amy is running up the stairs to tell me that Cordy took her ball- dogs just don't get the consequences of their actions thing despite my endless repetitions of explaining how these things work. Sigh.
Oh, she got the ball back. I know that because it's sogginess is sitting in the middle of my lap. So, tonight's wealth is Play. Being able to Play is priceless. Gotta go, I'm being pawed to death.
Cordy has a ball too but he's not deigning to play with it yet. So far he just wants to keep his ball away from Amy-girl dogs have cooties you know. Oh, there he goes, he squeaked it. (First time he's played with anything since January YAY!) Now Amy is running down the stairs to toss her ball at him. Yep, he now has two balls- two different tones being squeaked at once.
Now Amy is running up the stairs to tell me that Cordy took her ball- dogs just don't get the consequences of their actions thing despite my endless repetitions of explaining how these things work. Sigh.
Oh, she got the ball back. I know that because it's sogginess is sitting in the middle of my lap. So, tonight's wealth is Play. Being able to Play is priceless. Gotta go, I'm being pawed to death.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Day 19
Family Time. I love family time. Tonight my Mom cooked a wonderful dinner of roast beef, baked potatoes and fresh corn on the cob. Cordy and Amy had the last of the leg of the lamb I cooked the other night and some of the roast beef on their raw food. After dinner we all had a group nap while watching NCIS re-runs. On Thursday Mom leaves for Venice and her cruise and it was inordinately wonderful to spend the evening having dinner and napping together in front of the tv.
Tonight's and today's wealth comes from Family. I love my family as strange and weird as it is. Having a family around me is my true wealth.
Tonight's and today's wealth comes from Family. I love my family as strange and weird as it is. Having a family around me is my true wealth.
Day 18
The Drama! The Excitement! The TEDIUM of Drama!
There's a woman at work who is not my favorite. For the past several weeks she's been working at another store and it wasn't until she came back yesterday that I realized why my stress level had fallen so preciptiously. There had been no drama. Okay so not very much drama. Okay so a different kind of drama. But today all hell broke loose. There were tears and shouting and fingers shaking in faces and loud accusations and quiet sobbing and I'm just there to make coffee and steal ice for Cordy boy.
So I "uh-huh'd" and "awwww'd" and "Ohhh'd" and patted backs and gave hugs and all but shoved them all out the door to enjoy some peace and quiet with my geeky gaming boy coworker who gave me the breadth and depth of the "Cannon' they use to play an RPG game that used to be called Dungeons and Dragons- played with elves and dwarves and mages- but is now called something else and is played with vampires and werewolves and humans-but the vampires don't sparkle. And all of the intricate rules of the game in a running commentary to which I "un-huh'd" and "awwwww'd" and Ohhhh'd" until our escape at closing time.
I all but collapsed on top of Cordy when I got home, digging deep into his calm, peaceful, joyful centeredness that he is to anchor myself once more in my happy place. I have a whole new respect for the idea behind The Scarlet Letter. Some people should just come with warning signs hung around their necks and with pause or mute buttons.
But it became clear to me on a whole new level how artificial it all was and how self generated it all was. Three of the people involved were obviously into it. Something within them was taking great satisfaction in the chaos. It was fascinating to watch unfold. The one woman in particular always has something dire about to happen on the horizon and it wasn't until yesterday that I realized how exhausting I find that to be around. BUT for the first time, I didn't go there with her. I kept my objective viewpoint and watched as she danced at the end of her own strings, strings that she was fully in control of but thrashed herself around anyway.
Luckily, I have the next four days off from there. I plan on listening to all of the audio's nonstop, tapping until I'm bruised and hoping against hope that a miracle will happen to keep me from having to go back this weekend. Life's too short for drama.
So, today's wealth is found in living a exciting, fulfilling, peacefully, joyfilled life, like we do. Priceless.
There's a woman at work who is not my favorite. For the past several weeks she's been working at another store and it wasn't until she came back yesterday that I realized why my stress level had fallen so preciptiously. There had been no drama. Okay so not very much drama. Okay so a different kind of drama. But today all hell broke loose. There were tears and shouting and fingers shaking in faces and loud accusations and quiet sobbing and I'm just there to make coffee and steal ice for Cordy boy.
So I "uh-huh'd" and "awwww'd" and "Ohhh'd" and patted backs and gave hugs and all but shoved them all out the door to enjoy some peace and quiet with my geeky gaming boy coworker who gave me the breadth and depth of the "Cannon' they use to play an RPG game that used to be called Dungeons and Dragons- played with elves and dwarves and mages- but is now called something else and is played with vampires and werewolves and humans-but the vampires don't sparkle. And all of the intricate rules of the game in a running commentary to which I "un-huh'd" and "awwwww'd" and Ohhhh'd" until our escape at closing time.
I all but collapsed on top of Cordy when I got home, digging deep into his calm, peaceful, joyful centeredness that he is to anchor myself once more in my happy place. I have a whole new respect for the idea behind The Scarlet Letter. Some people should just come with warning signs hung around their necks and with pause or mute buttons.
But it became clear to me on a whole new level how artificial it all was and how self generated it all was. Three of the people involved were obviously into it. Something within them was taking great satisfaction in the chaos. It was fascinating to watch unfold. The one woman in particular always has something dire about to happen on the horizon and it wasn't until yesterday that I realized how exhausting I find that to be around. BUT for the first time, I didn't go there with her. I kept my objective viewpoint and watched as she danced at the end of her own strings, strings that she was fully in control of but thrashed herself around anyway.
Luckily, I have the next four days off from there. I plan on listening to all of the audio's nonstop, tapping until I'm bruised and hoping against hope that a miracle will happen to keep me from having to go back this weekend. Life's too short for drama.
So, today's wealth is found in living a exciting, fulfilling, peacefully, joyfilled life, like we do. Priceless.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Day 17
It's funny how you don't realize you're in a loop until you get out of it. I realized today that I have been smooshing myself in order to fit in at work. I hate and despise smooshing myself and vowed not to do that years and years ago, but yet, I did it again, not consciously but I still did it.
See, I'm good at what I do, that's not bragging it's just a fact. If I'm going to do something, spend a significant part of my life partaking in activity, then I dedicate myself to do it and strive for mastery. It's just logical. What I realized today is that I had smooshed myself in order to raise another up, actually a group of others and shockingly, yet again, I realized that it simply doesn't work that way. So, I'm an idiot. It wasn't until I found myself playing with customers and being stupid, like I do, that I hadn't been being stupid with customers for months. I like being stupid with customers, it makes the day go faster and the tip jar fill up. I raise people up by bringing them joy, making them laugh, being stupid basically, not by smooshing myself down in order to make them look better in comparison. All that does is make me feel all cramped up and cranky. ARG! I know this! I learned this A Long, LONG time ago! ARG!
So, today's true wealth is found in being myself in all of my glory and if they can't take it.......NOT my problem. I'm going to have that tattooed on my inner right arm so that I have to read it fifty thousand times a day. Oh and I got a massive organic, free range, grass fed lamb roast for half off. BONUS Wealth! :-)!!!
See, I'm good at what I do, that's not bragging it's just a fact. If I'm going to do something, spend a significant part of my life partaking in activity, then I dedicate myself to do it and strive for mastery. It's just logical. What I realized today is that I had smooshed myself in order to raise another up, actually a group of others and shockingly, yet again, I realized that it simply doesn't work that way. So, I'm an idiot. It wasn't until I found myself playing with customers and being stupid, like I do, that I hadn't been being stupid with customers for months. I like being stupid with customers, it makes the day go faster and the tip jar fill up. I raise people up by bringing them joy, making them laugh, being stupid basically, not by smooshing myself down in order to make them look better in comparison. All that does is make me feel all cramped up and cranky. ARG! I know this! I learned this A Long, LONG time ago! ARG!
So, today's true wealth is found in being myself in all of my glory and if they can't take it.......NOT my problem. I'm going to have that tattooed on my inner right arm so that I have to read it fifty thousand times a day. Oh and I got a massive organic, free range, grass fed lamb roast for half off. BONUS Wealth! :-)!!!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day 16
Hmmmmm, not sure how to rate today. On the one hand it was a Very good day. With all of the exercise I got this weekend I'm feeling very mellow and at peace with my fellow beings. On the other I just found out that my manager has been moved to another store effective today and we have a brand new 24 year old manager taking over our store. It could be a good thing. It could be a Very good thing. Of course I'd finally gotten Scott trained perfectly and it's frankly tiring to think about starting all over again but training is what I do, so, maybe not. I don't know. I guess I need more information.
Cordy is loving life and is as happy as the happiest clam that has ever lived. Amy and he get along just beautifully and to be honest not a lot has changed in our daily lives with her here. That's a really good thing and I'm incredibly thankful for it.
On Sunday my friend Margaritta goes to visit her family in Colombia. On Thursday my Mom heads off to Venice. On Friday a family of our regulars heads off to Paris and on Saturday another regular heads off to London. There must be a great trip headed our way as well. I think it's circling us, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
Cordy is loving life and is as happy as the happiest clam that has ever lived. Amy and he get along just beautifully and to be honest not a lot has changed in our daily lives with her here. That's a really good thing and I'm incredibly thankful for it.
On Sunday my friend Margaritta goes to visit her family in Colombia. On Thursday my Mom heads off to Venice. On Friday a family of our regulars heads off to Paris and on Saturday another regular heads off to London. There must be a great trip headed our way as well. I think it's circling us, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Day 15
An insane Rich day! I am absolutely worn out but in a REALLY Good way, not in a too much work day. Cordy's new chariot worked like a charm, I just pulled him Rik-saw style yesterday and this morning. Then, as we were heading out to find the dog beach, I missed the turn. I kept going, my Mom and Cordy both letting me know that I'd missed the turn, but I ignored them and ended up pulling into a place that sells trailers. The big kind, like for hauling boats and cars and stuff. Well, I went in and asked them if they had Any idea for how I could put a wheel on the front bit of the trailer, told them about Cordy, and 15 minutes later they had welded something together, attached it to the chariot and off we went. Best $33 I have EVER spent. It works like a charm and now we are officially Free to move about the country again. I still need to figure out a handle bar- bending in half to push it isn't the most comfortable way to go- but we are Mobile. I went to sleep last night chanting to myself, "We are Free, Free at Last, we are Mobile, Free, free, FREE!" It's a solidly Fantastic Feeling!
Last night chowed down on steamed blue crabs, Cordy got his pound and a half of steamed spice shrimp, Mom got something with noodles and cheese and seafood and was Perfectly content with her choice. The hotel room was gorgeous, with a view of the Bay and the beds were luscious.
Then this afternoon we got to the dog beach. It was a long ass haul from the parking lot to the beach including a set of 8 or 9 very deep, very deep steps, but we did it and my little furry fish was in ecstasy swimming around in what he calls "Live Water." Evidently pool water is dead water, whatever, it works for our purposes, but He LOVED IT. Getting back up the steps and to the Jeep was a full body workout-hence my exhaustion- but We Did It! Not a few unseen sources helped us out, I'm sure-which I fully appreciate- like in meeting no one trying to come down the stairs at the same time, dogs who were curious about Cordy but didn't invade his space, etc- but we Did It which means that we trulya are Free to head out on more adventures. Not tonight, and probably not tomorrow, Himself is well and truly knocked out tonight but we Can go on adventures again and trust me, that's a Lottery Win for us.
All in all, from start to finish, it was the Perfect getaway. I feel ex
Last night chowed down on steamed blue crabs, Cordy got his pound and a half of steamed spice shrimp, Mom got something with noodles and cheese and seafood and was Perfectly content with her choice. The hotel room was gorgeous, with a view of the Bay and the beds were luscious.
Then this afternoon we got to the dog beach. It was a long ass haul from the parking lot to the beach including a set of 8 or 9 very deep, very deep steps, but we did it and my little furry fish was in ecstasy swimming around in what he calls "Live Water." Evidently pool water is dead water, whatever, it works for our purposes, but He LOVED IT. Getting back up the steps and to the Jeep was a full body workout-hence my exhaustion- but We Did It! Not a few unseen sources helped us out, I'm sure-which I fully appreciate- like in meeting no one trying to come down the stairs at the same time, dogs who were curious about Cordy but didn't invade his space, etc- but we Did It which means that we trulya are Free to head out on more adventures. Not tonight, and probably not tomorrow, Himself is well and truly knocked out tonight but we Can go on adventures again and trust me, that's a Lottery Win for us.
All in all, from start to finish, it was the Perfect getaway. I feel ex
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Day 14
Heading out of town overnight. We're going to go and eat steamed blue crabs, overlooking the water in Annapolis, then spend the night on Kent Island before heading back to start the next round. Cordy LOVES traveling, love, Love, LOVES traveling, as do I and The Mom. Evidently, we'll be staying with the full contingent of K-9 police dogs in the states of MD and VA at the hotel. And we'll get to see if Cordy's new chariot works for him or not, hopefully it does since we'll be staying on the third floor. Luckily they have an elevator.
So, from Cordy's perspective this is a day full of all of his favorite things and boundless wealth. He gets to go on a trip, he's going to be in the Jeep, he's going to eat steamed crab and steamed shrimp, he gets hotel ice and he gets to spend the night in a hotel room. All of his favorite things wrapped up into one glorious day. And I get to give them all to him which makes me even wealthier.
It's going to be a Great Day! Now, to pack up the Jeep and head out.
So, from Cordy's perspective this is a day full of all of his favorite things and boundless wealth. He gets to go on a trip, he's going to be in the Jeep, he's going to eat steamed crab and steamed shrimp, he gets hotel ice and he gets to spend the night in a hotel room. All of his favorite things wrapped up into one glorious day. And I get to give them all to him which makes me even wealthier.
It's going to be a Great Day! Now, to pack up the Jeep and head out.
Day 13
Busy, busy day getting stuff done that needs to be done but I've put off doing because while it needs to be done I do not enjoy that it needs to be done by me. LOL Backyard mowed, family room deep cleaned, dinner at one of my favorite restaurants to celebrate getting it all done. Bought Cordy a new chariot- toddler bike trailer- to see if that works better. UNfortunately, it doesn't fit through the doorways in the house. Sigh. But, it means that once I get the attachments to make it a stroller, I can get him out and about outside when I take Amy girl- our visiting dog- for walks. He had a long, LONG swim in the pool and it's obvious that he's getting stronger and stronger every day. His stride is much more even and though he acts like he's drowning when he turns, he's not really. He's learning how to self correct his back end, which means his ab muscles are coming back and soon he'll be sitting up and then standing and then walking and then running and ahhhhhh, bliss. Going for walks with my boy in the woods again. Now That would be true wealth.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Day 12
A Day Off is a truly wonderous, glorious thing to enjoy. I haven't accomplished squat today, other than to keep body and soul together for Cordy and I. Today was all about being a slug, not moving, watching strange French Films on Netflix and catching up on my HBO. It was So Decadent! I even arranged for another day off on Thursday. Tee Hee
Tomorrow we're going to go and get steamed crabs and shrimp in a place somewhere that looks over the water. A fine way to spend the first day of summer. If the mood hits we'll spend the night in some dog friendly hotel before coming back home on Wednesday, otherwise we'll just head home, full and replete and hopefully a little bit sunburned.
Wednesday we'll clean up and prepare for Miss Amy's arrival-giant dog girl who's going to be staying with us for a month-plant the garden, touch base with freelance clients and generally re-enter the world. But today and tomorrow and most of Thursday...nahhh, we are enjoying the incredible wealth of doing nothing at all. Bliss in contrast to a 90 hour work week, absolute and total bliss.
Tomorrow we're going to go and get steamed crabs and shrimp in a place somewhere that looks over the water. A fine way to spend the first day of summer. If the mood hits we'll spend the night in some dog friendly hotel before coming back home on Wednesday, otherwise we'll just head home, full and replete and hopefully a little bit sunburned.
Wednesday we'll clean up and prepare for Miss Amy's arrival-giant dog girl who's going to be staying with us for a month-plant the garden, touch base with freelance clients and generally re-enter the world. But today and tomorrow and most of Thursday...nahhh, we are enjoying the incredible wealth of doing nothing at all. Bliss in contrast to a 90 hour work week, absolute and total bliss.
Day 11
My computer ate day 11. I swear I wrote Day 11 and hit publish but it's not there now. I guess Day 11 is shy.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Day 10
So, this morning as I was running around I snapped in the CD with all of the audio portions of the Vibration Millionaire stuff on it and discovered that I'd missed a couple of things on previous days. Some days are more blonde than others. So, I'm listening to the "If Money is No Object" game and found myself hanging my head in shame. It took me three of Denise's examples before I came up with my first one. So, so, very very sad.
So, if money were no object, I'd buy a 2012 bright yellow Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with all three tops and all of the bells and whistles. I really mean that one. I even have her picked out-nicknamed Lemonade, of course- and drive by her several times a week. I've even been known to growl at innocent bystanders who have Dared to come up and check out her ticket price when I am spending time with her. She's mine.
If money were no object I'd toss Cordy into Lemonade and we'd head North and west to find our forever home. I feel very confident that our forever home is not south of us. We'd drive until we found someplace interesting and then we'd stop and check it out. That would be the plan. The entire plan. We'd buy a house when we found our place. I know what it looks like, I've been dreaming about it for Years, I just don't know where it is yet.
If money were no object I would buy our home. I know what it looks like down to the tile in the bathroom I have dreamed of it for YEARS. (See above)
If money were no object- and I had someone to stay with Cordy for a few days- I would head to London tomorrow night, got o the Thai restaurant on Kings Street, the fish and chip shop a little further up, have high tea at Ruebens at the Palace, buy my teas at Fortnum and Mason, pick up the rest of the CHERUB books and the new series from Muchamore and then take the 9 pm shuttle to Paris, stay in Le Regent- our favorite hotel- and sit for a day watching people and drinking espresso and cafe Viennois, got the creparie, the bistro across the street from the hotel for dinner and then come back Wednesday morning to be here for Amy. A nice break and I get to stock up on some of the essentials, bonus.
If money were no object, I'd hire a personal trainer to get me back in shape. Since Cordy hasn't been able to walk, he has freaked whenever I've gone out for a walk, hence I am decidedly curvier than I like. Decidedly so. I'm over it and bored with it and now would like it to kindly go away. My personal trainer would combine yoga, strength and aerobic exercise that would be fun and not reduce me to a mound of hurting ooze as so many of them do.
If money were no object, I would hire a personal chef to create our meals, at least dinner.
If money were no object, I would hire a housekeeper. Yes, I know, I'd feel compelled to get up at 5 am to tidy up before she-or he- got here but seeing dawn is good for the soul.
If money were no object, I would hire someone to come in and organize this place. Okay so this one comes before the housekeeper one. It's only fair.
If money were no object, I'd put in an inground pool, hire a pool service and put in a cute little wooden cottage in the back to be my office with electricity, a wood stove, and all the trimmings.
And last but not least, if money were no object, I'd hang up my green apron and never make another frappaccino again in this, or any other, lifetime.
Okay, I feel better now. Much, much better actually. this mornings dead brain air had me concerned that I'd gotten too narrow in my thinking. God forbid. But no, I've decided that it just took me by surprise.
So, if money were no object, I'd buy a 2012 bright yellow Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with all three tops and all of the bells and whistles. I really mean that one. I even have her picked out-nicknamed Lemonade, of course- and drive by her several times a week. I've even been known to growl at innocent bystanders who have Dared to come up and check out her ticket price when I am spending time with her. She's mine.
If money were no object I'd toss Cordy into Lemonade and we'd head North and west to find our forever home. I feel very confident that our forever home is not south of us. We'd drive until we found someplace interesting and then we'd stop and check it out. That would be the plan. The entire plan. We'd buy a house when we found our place. I know what it looks like, I've been dreaming about it for Years, I just don't know where it is yet.
If money were no object I would buy our home. I know what it looks like down to the tile in the bathroom I have dreamed of it for YEARS. (See above)
If money were no object- and I had someone to stay with Cordy for a few days- I would head to London tomorrow night, got o the Thai restaurant on Kings Street, the fish and chip shop a little further up, have high tea at Ruebens at the Palace, buy my teas at Fortnum and Mason, pick up the rest of the CHERUB books and the new series from Muchamore and then take the 9 pm shuttle to Paris, stay in Le Regent- our favorite hotel- and sit for a day watching people and drinking espresso and cafe Viennois, got the creparie, the bistro across the street from the hotel for dinner and then come back Wednesday morning to be here for Amy. A nice break and I get to stock up on some of the essentials, bonus.
If money were no object, I'd hire a personal trainer to get me back in shape. Since Cordy hasn't been able to walk, he has freaked whenever I've gone out for a walk, hence I am decidedly curvier than I like. Decidedly so. I'm over it and bored with it and now would like it to kindly go away. My personal trainer would combine yoga, strength and aerobic exercise that would be fun and not reduce me to a mound of hurting ooze as so many of them do.
If money were no object, I would hire a personal chef to create our meals, at least dinner.
If money were no object, I would hire a housekeeper. Yes, I know, I'd feel compelled to get up at 5 am to tidy up before she-or he- got here but seeing dawn is good for the soul.
If money were no object, I would hire someone to come in and organize this place. Okay so this one comes before the housekeeper one. It's only fair.
If money were no object, I'd put in an inground pool, hire a pool service and put in a cute little wooden cottage in the back to be my office with electricity, a wood stove, and all the trimmings.
And last but not least, if money were no object, I'd hang up my green apron and never make another frappaccino again in this, or any other, lifetime.
Okay, I feel better now. Much, much better actually. this mornings dead brain air had me concerned that I'd gotten too narrow in my thinking. God forbid. But no, I've decided that it just took me by surprise.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Day 9
This morning as I stumbled blindly for the coffee pot and my first sip of the ambrosia that is Gold Coast coffee, my mother announced that she was going on a cruise out of Venice, Italy, that went to Split, Croatia, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Turkey and Greece. After the cruise returned her to Venice she was going to take the train to Paris, stay a few days and then go to London for a few days before coming home. Would I mind?
I instrinctively replied, "Of course not, you'll have a blast." And I mean that. Though I must admit that I am bone deep jealous of her trip. I want/need/require like ai,r a break. I am tired of running on fumes. I am tired of running from one job to the next, sometimes finishing a sentence on my Android phone as I drive to work at Coffeeland. I am, in a word, tired.
Corduroy James takes a lot of time. I do 5-6 loads of laundry a day just for his bedding. He has to be rolled over every hour or so-and not always willingly. I have been building his chariot for a week now, my hands and arms and back ache from sawing and pushing together and pulling apart and gluing and, now, finally, duct taping the pieces together. I have to lift him up from the lower bed to the upper bed several times a day when the bedding gets too wet. I cook his food so there's prep time and cook time and feeding time, twice a day. There's washing him and hauling him out to go swimming and then walking around and around the pool making him swim so that he can regain his strength. All of this I do willingly and do not begrudge a moment of time that is spent in service to him but it does eat up a large portion of my day. Then I have freelance writing to do, going to work at Starbucks where people expect me to be nice to them, cleaning up the store and doing the prep work for the next day and then coming home, spending a few minutes playing with Cord before hitting the computer for some more writing time and then crashing onto the bed face first and trying to get some sleep before it starts again the next morning. My legs are killing me from Starbucks, my left shoulder aches from carrying him around on it, my back which has never bothered me in my life aches in a weird, chewing on aluminum foil kind of way and I can't remember my last day off.
But, she will have a blast and it's not a trip I can take with her until Himself is at least up on his front legs again. Besides we have a dog coming to stay with us for the next six weeks who arrives next Thursday. So, wealth, tonight isn't about accumulating cash, it's about receiving an unexpected day off. A day where everything is done for me. I day I can roll over in bed in the morning, when the frig is filled with the food we need that day, with nothing to do but read a book while scratching my boy's tummy and sharing a floor picnic like we used to do in our little pink house by the lake, two blocks from the ocean.
So, yeah, tonight I want the wealth of free time.
I instrinctively replied, "Of course not, you'll have a blast." And I mean that. Though I must admit that I am bone deep jealous of her trip. I want/need/require like ai,r a break. I am tired of running on fumes. I am tired of running from one job to the next, sometimes finishing a sentence on my Android phone as I drive to work at Coffeeland. I am, in a word, tired.
Corduroy James takes a lot of time. I do 5-6 loads of laundry a day just for his bedding. He has to be rolled over every hour or so-and not always willingly. I have been building his chariot for a week now, my hands and arms and back ache from sawing and pushing together and pulling apart and gluing and, now, finally, duct taping the pieces together. I have to lift him up from the lower bed to the upper bed several times a day when the bedding gets too wet. I cook his food so there's prep time and cook time and feeding time, twice a day. There's washing him and hauling him out to go swimming and then walking around and around the pool making him swim so that he can regain his strength. All of this I do willingly and do not begrudge a moment of time that is spent in service to him but it does eat up a large portion of my day. Then I have freelance writing to do, going to work at Starbucks where people expect me to be nice to them, cleaning up the store and doing the prep work for the next day and then coming home, spending a few minutes playing with Cord before hitting the computer for some more writing time and then crashing onto the bed face first and trying to get some sleep before it starts again the next morning. My legs are killing me from Starbucks, my left shoulder aches from carrying him around on it, my back which has never bothered me in my life aches in a weird, chewing on aluminum foil kind of way and I can't remember my last day off.
But, she will have a blast and it's not a trip I can take with her until Himself is at least up on his front legs again. Besides we have a dog coming to stay with us for the next six weeks who arrives next Thursday. So, wealth, tonight isn't about accumulating cash, it's about receiving an unexpected day off. A day where everything is done for me. I day I can roll over in bed in the morning, when the frig is filled with the food we need that day, with nothing to do but read a book while scratching my boy's tummy and sharing a floor picnic like we used to do in our little pink house by the lake, two blocks from the ocean.
So, yeah, tonight I want the wealth of free time.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Day Eight
I've always found it fascinating, especially when I'm working retail, to observe how I treat people, kind of one step removed. 99% of the people who come in are strangers, we have no history, no connection other than that they are thirsty and tired and I serve caffeinated beverages. But there are people I give free drinks to and other people that I want to leap across the counter and scratch their eyes out as soon as they enter the store. Keep in mind that I don't know them. My reaction is a vibrational one, not a rational one.
I know who I can play with and who is going to make me re-make their drink three times for no reason other than that they are feeling pissy and need someone to take it out on. For example today it was me and one other guy working all afternoon and we were SLAMMED, $1500 in 4 hours, if you figure that the average beverage costs $3.00 we served approximately 500 people, or 2 people every minute for FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT. We went a little bit nuts and finally just started laughing to save our sanity. One woman ordered a decaf, iced, venti, soy, light ice, 2 pump mocha. No problem, I made it and handed it off to her at which point she said, "Wrong, it was a decaf, iced, four pump vanilla soy latte." It SO WASN'T. I mean we can't make up stuff like her original drink order. The two don't even sound the same, but I made her second order. At which point she asked, "Do I have to come back there and make it myself? I wanted a 3 pump classic soy green tea latte." Liar, liar pants on fire, you did not. So, I remade her drink a third time, keep in mind I have 20 other drinks for 20 other people who are waiting in line and are now all glaring at me. Then she demands a free drink coupon thingy because and I quote, "Since you're too stupid to even work here." In response I fluttered my eyelashes over my baby blues and grinned, replying, "You do say the sweetest things." and moved on. She picked up the cup and held it to the light before saying, "Well this is the strangest looking mocha I've ever seen" and tossed the green tea latte into the garbage can before cutting in at the front of the line and demanding that my co-worker give her a refund.
This is when we began to laugh and I mean laugh hysterically, unable to make eye contact with one another because we'd start laughing again. It was laugh or start throwing things to make all the cranky people go away.
Not too long ago I would have spent days wondering how I had attracted her into my experience but as the years go by I've come to realize that some people are just assholes and there's nothing you can do about it. Why did she wander across my path today? I was jonesing for a cigarette, my legs were starting to kill me, I was day dreaming about all of the ways I could kill our bossman for putting us in that situation without a third person and my vibe dipped low enough that she got sucked into the vortex. Meh. It happens. After we got over our first bout of hysterical laughter the next customer dropped a $20 into the tip box. That happens too.
I don't really know what this post is about other than it is fascinating who walks through the door. There are two people I work with who call every crazy person in a 400 mile radius into our store. Everytime I'm scheduled to work with them I know it's going to be an insane night. 1 person I occassionally get to work with clears out the store so that we're dead all night long, every single time I work with them. It's glorious. And when I work with the other two we have normal people, coming in at a comfortable rate and have an easy, breezy night. When I take over and blast the place with my vibe, we get lots and lots of talkers. People who just make themselves comfortable and want to chat all night long and never leave.
I know who I can play with and who is going to make me re-make their drink three times for no reason other than that they are feeling pissy and need someone to take it out on. For example today it was me and one other guy working all afternoon and we were SLAMMED, $1500 in 4 hours, if you figure that the average beverage costs $3.00 we served approximately 500 people, or 2 people every minute for FOUR HOURS STRAIGHT. We went a little bit nuts and finally just started laughing to save our sanity. One woman ordered a decaf, iced, venti, soy, light ice, 2 pump mocha. No problem, I made it and handed it off to her at which point she said, "Wrong, it was a decaf, iced, four pump vanilla soy latte." It SO WASN'T. I mean we can't make up stuff like her original drink order. The two don't even sound the same, but I made her second order. At which point she asked, "Do I have to come back there and make it myself? I wanted a 3 pump classic soy green tea latte." Liar, liar pants on fire, you did not. So, I remade her drink a third time, keep in mind I have 20 other drinks for 20 other people who are waiting in line and are now all glaring at me. Then she demands a free drink coupon thingy because and I quote, "Since you're too stupid to even work here." In response I fluttered my eyelashes over my baby blues and grinned, replying, "You do say the sweetest things." and moved on. She picked up the cup and held it to the light before saying, "Well this is the strangest looking mocha I've ever seen" and tossed the green tea latte into the garbage can before cutting in at the front of the line and demanding that my co-worker give her a refund.
This is when we began to laugh and I mean laugh hysterically, unable to make eye contact with one another because we'd start laughing again. It was laugh or start throwing things to make all the cranky people go away.
Not too long ago I would have spent days wondering how I had attracted her into my experience but as the years go by I've come to realize that some people are just assholes and there's nothing you can do about it. Why did she wander across my path today? I was jonesing for a cigarette, my legs were starting to kill me, I was day dreaming about all of the ways I could kill our bossman for putting us in that situation without a third person and my vibe dipped low enough that she got sucked into the vortex. Meh. It happens. After we got over our first bout of hysterical laughter the next customer dropped a $20 into the tip box. That happens too.
I don't really know what this post is about other than it is fascinating who walks through the door. There are two people I work with who call every crazy person in a 400 mile radius into our store. Everytime I'm scheduled to work with them I know it's going to be an insane night. 1 person I occassionally get to work with clears out the store so that we're dead all night long, every single time I work with them. It's glorious. And when I work with the other two we have normal people, coming in at a comfortable rate and have an easy, breezy night. When I take over and blast the place with my vibe, we get lots and lots of talkers. People who just make themselves comfortable and want to chat all night long and never leave.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Day Seven
A good day. Not the day I was expecting to have but a good day anyway. I expected to take today completely off and do nothing. Instead I went into work for four hours so that Bossman could go with his son-and several thousand other sixth graders- to a minor league baseball game. They had a WONDERFUL time. The weather was perfection itself, the baseball players interacted with the kids and a very meaningful memory was created for both father and son. Sometimes wealth comes from giving stuff away, even if it's a day off used differently than planned.
To celebrate the creation of Cordy's Chariot my Mom took me to my new favorite restaurant, a kind of cross between an Aussie Pub and a Parisian Bistro. Great service, luscious food and a fantastic atmosphere. It's also casually elegant, and elegance is something I crave when I wear a green apron all day. It reminds me of who I really am and that I'm not just a barista dealing with rude people for $11 something an hour.
I am also a world traveler who has circumnavigated the world eight or nine times, who lived in Australia, who has explored New Zealand and China and soaked up the sun in Bali and was forced to take a 3 day bus trip from Kuta Beach in Bali back to Jakarta in Indonesia. I have actual haunts, favorite places I go in London and Paris and a favorite wine in Italy. I've been to Switzerland and Germany, Romania, Brussels, and other places in Europe both east and west. I've seen the Berlin wall when it was standing and I would like to go back now that it's gone. I've hand fed kangaroos and a baby wombat and have a scar from where a jealous Emu pecked my head-I wanted to continue to feed the joey. I've had a boa constrictor wrapped around my waist and had a Kookaburra laugh at me when I fell flat on my face while I was looking up at it. I've driven off the road while pointing out a flock of wild cockatoos to my mom in Australia and had to be pulled out by a guy passing by who said not one word of criticism but I'm sure drank off that story for months afterwards.
I have watched the sun come up on four of the seven continents. I have gone swimming in six of the seven seas- Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico- I'm only missing the Arctic Ocean. I have climbed Pike's Peak in Colorado, part of the Matterhorn- I was 4 years old at the time- and walked along the Appalacian Trail- okay so that last one was by mistake and I got us lost and Cordy had to take me back to the car when it started to get dark-which he did cross country ignoring All of the 'Stay on the Trail' signs-but I'm counting it anyway and Ayres Rock when it was 114 degrees in the shade with a killer hangover. I have celebrated the Fourth of July in Washington, DC, NYC, Honolulu, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, China, New Zealand, and in Banff. I have couches that I am welcome to sleep on in Kotor, Montenegro, Split, Croatia, Namibia, all across Australia, in London and Paris, in other parts of Britain and France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, several in Canada, in Colombia, Guatamala, Hondurous, and across the U.S.
I have eaten foods in China that I am sure were distant relatives of Cordy and things that I do not want to know the origins of. I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants the world has to offer and blue plate specials in local dives the world over. I have stayed in youth hostels and campgrounds and in the George IV in Paris and The Plaza in NYC. I have ridden trains across Europe and Australia. I have driven all across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the US-cross country four times. I have sailed and gone water skiing and snow skiing and snow boarding and surfing and ice skating, roller blading-though that didn't go well- bicycling, hiking and walking all over the place. I have ridden in a Riksaw and on a bus with chickens and goats as fellow passengers.
I went to my first congressional reception at the age of three. To balls at Disneyland and in New Orleans. I have danced with Pluto and Mickey Mouse. I own a ballgown. I have shopped on the Champs Elysee and Rodeo Drive and in the local's market in Beijing. I have seen the Terracotta Soldiers in situ and slept countless nights in the Snowy Mountain Country in the arms of one of my true loves and in the Outback under a blanket of stars that must be seen to be believed.
I am rich beyond measure in experiences and memories that no one else has on this earth. I have done things and gone places that most of you only dream of or think of as 'someday.' So when you greet me with a "Gimme'a decaf tall skinny vanilla latte" instead of a "Hello" know that I have lived some of your wildest dreams and I haven't even begun living mine yet.
To celebrate the creation of Cordy's Chariot my Mom took me to my new favorite restaurant, a kind of cross between an Aussie Pub and a Parisian Bistro. Great service, luscious food and a fantastic atmosphere. It's also casually elegant, and elegance is something I crave when I wear a green apron all day. It reminds me of who I really am and that I'm not just a barista dealing with rude people for $11 something an hour.
I am also a world traveler who has circumnavigated the world eight or nine times, who lived in Australia, who has explored New Zealand and China and soaked up the sun in Bali and was forced to take a 3 day bus trip from Kuta Beach in Bali back to Jakarta in Indonesia. I have actual haunts, favorite places I go in London and Paris and a favorite wine in Italy. I've been to Switzerland and Germany, Romania, Brussels, and other places in Europe both east and west. I've seen the Berlin wall when it was standing and I would like to go back now that it's gone. I've hand fed kangaroos and a baby wombat and have a scar from where a jealous Emu pecked my head-I wanted to continue to feed the joey. I've had a boa constrictor wrapped around my waist and had a Kookaburra laugh at me when I fell flat on my face while I was looking up at it. I've driven off the road while pointing out a flock of wild cockatoos to my mom in Australia and had to be pulled out by a guy passing by who said not one word of criticism but I'm sure drank off that story for months afterwards.
I have watched the sun come up on four of the seven continents. I have gone swimming in six of the seven seas- Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico- I'm only missing the Arctic Ocean. I have climbed Pike's Peak in Colorado, part of the Matterhorn- I was 4 years old at the time- and walked along the Appalacian Trail- okay so that last one was by mistake and I got us lost and Cordy had to take me back to the car when it started to get dark-which he did cross country ignoring All of the 'Stay on the Trail' signs-but I'm counting it anyway and Ayres Rock when it was 114 degrees in the shade with a killer hangover. I have celebrated the Fourth of July in Washington, DC, NYC, Honolulu, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, China, New Zealand, and in Banff. I have couches that I am welcome to sleep on in Kotor, Montenegro, Split, Croatia, Namibia, all across Australia, in London and Paris, in other parts of Britain and France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, several in Canada, in Colombia, Guatamala, Hondurous, and across the U.S.
I have eaten foods in China that I am sure were distant relatives of Cordy and things that I do not want to know the origins of. I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants the world has to offer and blue plate specials in local dives the world over. I have stayed in youth hostels and campgrounds and in the George IV in Paris and The Plaza in NYC. I have ridden trains across Europe and Australia. I have driven all across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Canada and the US-cross country four times. I have sailed and gone water skiing and snow skiing and snow boarding and surfing and ice skating, roller blading-though that didn't go well- bicycling, hiking and walking all over the place. I have ridden in a Riksaw and on a bus with chickens and goats as fellow passengers.
I went to my first congressional reception at the age of three. To balls at Disneyland and in New Orleans. I have danced with Pluto and Mickey Mouse. I own a ballgown. I have shopped on the Champs Elysee and Rodeo Drive and in the local's market in Beijing. I have seen the Terracotta Soldiers in situ and slept countless nights in the Snowy Mountain Country in the arms of one of my true loves and in the Outback under a blanket of stars that must be seen to be believed.
I am rich beyond measure in experiences and memories that no one else has on this earth. I have done things and gone places that most of you only dream of or think of as 'someday.' So when you greet me with a "Gimme'a decaf tall skinny vanilla latte" instead of a "Hello" know that I have lived some of your wildest dreams and I haven't even begun living mine yet.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 6
Curiouser and curiouser....so, I got a call today for a new freelance writing gig, actually it's be a consultant which I think is a step up from freelancer. :-) I made it through the first interview even though I have NO CLUE how to do what they want me to do but I told them that so ... there we go. It would be fun though, really, REALLY fun and new and exciting and adding to the value of the world so good on all fronts.
I was up until 4:30 this morning putting together Cordy's new Chariot. Put him in it this afternoon after I finished building the platform by the pool to make it easier to get him in and out and it fell apart. Hmmmm...I guess gluing the pieces together would have been wise. So, that's what I get to do tonight and then we'll try it again tomorrow. On the upside he was VERY patient. His trust in me is humbling. On another upside he is walking around the pool with his front legs almost normally and that's only after 3 times in the pool spaced over several weeks, so once we get the cart going.....I don't want to jinx it.
Another thing I've noticed is how I'm getting stuff done all of a sudden. My To Do List is getting shorter and shorter, which is seriously Cool! I have focus and while I'd like for everything to happen during the daylight hours-instead of into the wee hours of the morning- it's working so I guess that shift will happen when happens.
And now I must collapse and watch mindless television until I go to bed, which may be within the hour. Every single part of me is tired. It's kind of a good feeling.
I was up until 4:30 this morning putting together Cordy's new Chariot. Put him in it this afternoon after I finished building the platform by the pool to make it easier to get him in and out and it fell apart. Hmmmm...I guess gluing the pieces together would have been wise. So, that's what I get to do tonight and then we'll try it again tomorrow. On the upside he was VERY patient. His trust in me is humbling. On another upside he is walking around the pool with his front legs almost normally and that's only after 3 times in the pool spaced over several weeks, so once we get the cart going.....I don't want to jinx it.
Another thing I've noticed is how I'm getting stuff done all of a sudden. My To Do List is getting shorter and shorter, which is seriously Cool! I have focus and while I'd like for everything to happen during the daylight hours-instead of into the wee hours of the morning- it's working so I guess that shift will happen when happens.
And now I must collapse and watch mindless television until I go to bed, which may be within the hour. Every single part of me is tired. It's kind of a good feeling.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 5
Really NOT feeling the wealth today, especially of time.
Last week I had two short deadlines, that were originally long term but became short term due to events beyond my control that caused us to be out of town and therefore miss my deadlines for the first time ever. So, I wrote for 96 hours straight-with a few catnaps in there to keep going- and finished it up late afternoon Wednesday and then Thursday thru Sun I worked 10 hour days at Coffeeland. Himself is feeling a bit neglected so he spent most of the last night knocking over his ice bowl and then screaming because his ice bowl had been knocked over.
Generally speaking on Mondays I sleep and recover from the previous 6 days. But today, after little to no sleep, I had to run to the bank, cash a check, go to a bike store to see about wheels for his highnesses chariot-who knew that bike wheels needed a "Y" axel? And that they cost $100+ a piece, I mean SERIOUSLY? FOR A BIKE? Anyway- then I had to hit the grocery store because we're down to 6 different kinds of mustard and some sad looking butter in the fridge, then to pick up lunch because the Mom is home with a cold. My Mom is like a guy when she's sick, enough said. Then I come home, we eat lunch, and I fall asleep while eating my soup. When I wake up, because the ice has made yet another suicide leap for freedom, I see I have a text from Coffeeland Bossman asking me to come out to the re-opening celebration of another Coffeeland store. So, I spend 30 minutes finding out what the Mom wants for dinner, then jump into my Jeep and fight rush hour traffic across four towns to get to the grand re-opening, go in, say the right things, get a free quad shot venti vanilla mocha, and escape. As I'm driving out of the parking lot I spot an "Under Five" store with pool noodles out front, those would be handy so I stop and go in and find an arm-full of "$50 Worth of Things We Can't Possibly Live Without A Moment Longer". Jump back into the Jeep, fight rush hour traffic the other way to hit Home Depot and get replacement blades for my cute little royal blue hacksaw so that I can finish the Royal Chariot. End up taking the wrong road, then missing my turn and visiting memory lane as I cut back taking the backroads of my youth when I was madly in love with Irish Soccer Goalkeeper Boy and used to covertly drive by his house hoping that both that he would and would not happen to come out and see me, and cutback over to Home Depot. While at Home Depot it occurs to me that we need a stand over the edge of the pool so that Himself has a place to wait while I get him in and out of the pool safely. An hour later and with $20 left from the $300 check I cashed mere hours ago, I head back the other way and hit the Chinese Take out on my way home.
It is now midnight, everyone has been fed, I bought two industrial sized softsided coolers for Himself to hold his ice, one of those is filled and I'm out in the screened in porch ready to take another stab at his Royal Chariot. Himself, though he was rock solid asleep a few minutes ago has awoken and is screaming again because his ice is 4 inches away from his nose and he would like me to come in and move it closer. Oh and 15 loads of laundry of His Royal Bedding but we do that everyday.
A day in the life. So, what was good about today? I had the cash to get everything we needed and wanted. I was invited to a grand opening, we'll leave it generic for purity vibe value. In my current employment I was with the movers and the shakers. I was contacted by a potential new freelance writing client to do funding reports, something that I've never done and have no clue how to do but then I rarely do know how to do something before I do it. Like building the Royal Chariot, for example. No clue how but somehow, through trial and error it's getting done. Let's see, what else? Listened to all of the audio programs, except the meditation, while driving around. I decided that I get more out of them when I'm sitting in front of my computer listening, so that's good to know. I think I now have all of the pieces I need to get him into the pool tomorrow. I'm going to throw caution to the wind and sleep in my own bed tonight- as opposed to in the living room with Himself. Since I didn't hear back from my editor I'm going to assume that all is well with our booklet and take tomorrow off since I didn't get today.
Ok, fine. I'm still very wealthy. Exhausted and not a little bit cranky but wealthy all the same.
Last week I had two short deadlines, that were originally long term but became short term due to events beyond my control that caused us to be out of town and therefore miss my deadlines for the first time ever. So, I wrote for 96 hours straight-with a few catnaps in there to keep going- and finished it up late afternoon Wednesday and then Thursday thru Sun I worked 10 hour days at Coffeeland. Himself is feeling a bit neglected so he spent most of the last night knocking over his ice bowl and then screaming because his ice bowl had been knocked over.
Generally speaking on Mondays I sleep and recover from the previous 6 days. But today, after little to no sleep, I had to run to the bank, cash a check, go to a bike store to see about wheels for his highnesses chariot-who knew that bike wheels needed a "Y" axel? And that they cost $100+ a piece, I mean SERIOUSLY? FOR A BIKE? Anyway- then I had to hit the grocery store because we're down to 6 different kinds of mustard and some sad looking butter in the fridge, then to pick up lunch because the Mom is home with a cold. My Mom is like a guy when she's sick, enough said. Then I come home, we eat lunch, and I fall asleep while eating my soup. When I wake up, because the ice has made yet another suicide leap for freedom, I see I have a text from Coffeeland Bossman asking me to come out to the re-opening celebration of another Coffeeland store. So, I spend 30 minutes finding out what the Mom wants for dinner, then jump into my Jeep and fight rush hour traffic across four towns to get to the grand re-opening, go in, say the right things, get a free quad shot venti vanilla mocha, and escape. As I'm driving out of the parking lot I spot an "Under Five" store with pool noodles out front, those would be handy so I stop and go in and find an arm-full of "$50 Worth of Things We Can't Possibly Live Without A Moment Longer". Jump back into the Jeep, fight rush hour traffic the other way to hit Home Depot and get replacement blades for my cute little royal blue hacksaw so that I can finish the Royal Chariot. End up taking the wrong road, then missing my turn and visiting memory lane as I cut back taking the backroads of my youth when I was madly in love with Irish Soccer Goalkeeper Boy and used to covertly drive by his house hoping that both that he would and would not happen to come out and see me, and cutback over to Home Depot. While at Home Depot it occurs to me that we need a stand over the edge of the pool so that Himself has a place to wait while I get him in and out of the pool safely. An hour later and with $20 left from the $300 check I cashed mere hours ago, I head back the other way and hit the Chinese Take out on my way home.
It is now midnight, everyone has been fed, I bought two industrial sized softsided coolers for Himself to hold his ice, one of those is filled and I'm out in the screened in porch ready to take another stab at his Royal Chariot. Himself, though he was rock solid asleep a few minutes ago has awoken and is screaming again because his ice is 4 inches away from his nose and he would like me to come in and move it closer. Oh and 15 loads of laundry of His Royal Bedding but we do that everyday.
A day in the life. So, what was good about today? I had the cash to get everything we needed and wanted. I was invited to a grand opening, we'll leave it generic for purity vibe value. In my current employment I was with the movers and the shakers. I was contacted by a potential new freelance writing client to do funding reports, something that I've never done and have no clue how to do but then I rarely do know how to do something before I do it. Like building the Royal Chariot, for example. No clue how but somehow, through trial and error it's getting done. Let's see, what else? Listened to all of the audio programs, except the meditation, while driving around. I decided that I get more out of them when I'm sitting in front of my computer listening, so that's good to know. I think I now have all of the pieces I need to get him into the pool tomorrow. I'm going to throw caution to the wind and sleep in my own bed tonight- as opposed to in the living room with Himself. Since I didn't hear back from my editor I'm going to assume that all is well with our booklet and take tomorrow off since I didn't get today.
Ok, fine. I'm still very wealthy. Exhausted and not a little bit cranky but wealthy all the same.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Day 4
What does wealth mean to me? What does it mean to me to be wealthy?
Freedom. Being wealthy means freedom. Freedom to live where I want to live, spend my days however I want to spend them, wherever I want to spend them. I don't have that much that I want to buy- a house of my own with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool off the living room, gourmet kitchen, luxurious gardens, and a wide open floorplan on a cliff overlooking the ocean with an optional elevator to get down to beach and a lake or large pond out front on 30-100 acres of land and a bright yellow Jeep Unlimited with all 3 tops and the purple Rolls I owe my Mom- but there are countless things I want to experience.
I may, perhaps, be confusing wealth with success or rather combining the two. I want to be a sought after speaker. I want to do book signings with mobs of people waiting for days to get in and have us sign their books. I want to be invited to speak at the Official TED conference. I want to go to movie Premiers of our books. I want our books to be phenomenon of unprecidented levels. I want us to live in a small town that protects our privacy because we're an integral part of their town. I want a husband and kids of our own. I want to take Mom to Paris and London instead of her paying my way. I want to go on a safari in Africa, no scratch that, I want to go and live at a wild game park in Africa where I can get to know the animals. I want to know how to write our books so that they are even better than I imagined they could be. I wnat to travel wherever and whenever I/we want to go.
Cash, having cash, having cash flow into my life regularly and in large sums helps to allow me to do all of that. That's why I want to be wealthy, we have stuff we want to go, places we want to go, people we want to meet, and a vast number of things we want to experience.
And as a bonus, I have the next three days off. Bliss and the wealth of free time. Priceless.
Freedom. Being wealthy means freedom. Freedom to live where I want to live, spend my days however I want to spend them, wherever I want to spend them. I don't have that much that I want to buy- a house of my own with an indoor/outdoor swimming pool off the living room, gourmet kitchen, luxurious gardens, and a wide open floorplan on a cliff overlooking the ocean with an optional elevator to get down to beach and a lake or large pond out front on 30-100 acres of land and a bright yellow Jeep Unlimited with all 3 tops and the purple Rolls I owe my Mom- but there are countless things I want to experience.
I may, perhaps, be confusing wealth with success or rather combining the two. I want to be a sought after speaker. I want to do book signings with mobs of people waiting for days to get in and have us sign their books. I want to be invited to speak at the Official TED conference. I want to go to movie Premiers of our books. I want our books to be phenomenon of unprecidented levels. I want us to live in a small town that protects our privacy because we're an integral part of their town. I want a husband and kids of our own. I want to take Mom to Paris and London instead of her paying my way. I want to go on a safari in Africa, no scratch that, I want to go and live at a wild game park in Africa where I can get to know the animals. I want to know how to write our books so that they are even better than I imagined they could be. I wnat to travel wherever and whenever I/we want to go.
Cash, having cash, having cash flow into my life regularly and in large sums helps to allow me to do all of that. That's why I want to be wealthy, we have stuff we want to go, places we want to go, people we want to meet, and a vast number of things we want to experience.
And as a bonus, I have the next three days off. Bliss and the wealth of free time. Priceless.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Day Three
WOOO-weeee what a day! I was head butted awake at 6:15 by my trusty furry sidekick whose patience has ended for me getting his cart constructed. Evidently Today was the day that was to be done, or at least begun. Trust sidekick- also known as Corduroy- is recovering from Lyme and has been 'down'- ie unable to walk, lift his head, etc- for several months now. We're in week 5 of massive anti-biotics and they are a miracle. At the beginning of the week he started getting cranky, moving and kicking his front legs A LOT more and generally being displeased that he's not up and moving. YAY! Who knew that benig arund cranky dog would be a Wonderful thing, it means he's feeling better.
So, I got up- he's as big as I am, 120 lbs, 5 feet long, 3 feet something tall, he's a Big Boy. The cart is to allow me to push him to and from his rehab pool in the backyard and the Jeep without having to toss him over my shoulder in a fireman's carry, which is painful for me after a couple of trips. So, I took out my stash of drinking straws and made a model. He didn't like it so I made another one. It was approved- conditionally- so I made a scale model and then brought in all of the PVC pipe and started cutting. It was rather large, about the size of our dining room table. So, I sat down, pondered and scaled it back a bit. When I had to go into work it was about 70% finished. I'm going to sleep on it and then take another stab at it tomorrow.
So, I get into work, same ol', same ol' but with my new found commitment to wealthy thoughts I actively sought out stuff to appreciate. I heard 27 or 28 different languages spoken today. It hits my love of travel. I got to play with three babies, several toddlers-are there ANY beings on the planet more sure of themselves than 3 year old children?- Got caught in several seemingly endless frappaccino blizzards-I'm trying not to hate caramel frappaccinos but, alas that may be a losing battle- we made drinks, we cleaned, blah, blah, blah. Then Ez- a 20 year old kid I work with- said the "B" word. "B" word as in "I'm Bored" ARG!!!! I threw ice a him in punishment. He always forgets that the Gods LOVE it when you say the "B" word, they send every nut job, crazy in a 100 miles. Nature abhors a vaccuum as well as boredom. I could have killed him.
So, the latter part of the night was spent in simple survival mode. Top three crazy people- 3. Teeny bopper girl who asked if our coffee had caffeine in it, you know the stuff that keeps you awake? 2. Woman comes in and says that she's there to pick up her coffee order. We have nothing scheduled, I made the requisite phone calls, get nothing but tell her we can do coffee for 300, no problem it'll just take me a few minutes to fill the cambros. She leaves to go and make sure she has the right place. Another woman comes in, asks to pick up her coffee order, we repeat. She then asks for our phone number, I give it to her. She walks out of the store and CALLS US to place her coffee order While She's Standing Outside our Front Door. I explain that she's just spoken to me, I'm the one that gave her our phone number, she replies that she finds it easier to place orders over the phone. I'm literally standing 15 feet from her talking to her on the phone. No words. 1. There is a young girl and boy who fuse themselves together in the comfy chairs for days at a time in our store, open to close they are in one of the comfy chairs making out. An older gentleman came in tonight, walked up the girl, tapped her shoulder and asked, "Did you think I wouldn't find out?" We popped our heads up to check out the drama. Girl rushes after dad, dramatic discussion held too low for us to hear, darn it, Dad ends the conversation by telling her to "Go get your brother, we're leaving." Girl walks back to boy she has been in a six month lip lock with and says, "Come on Dad says we have to go home now." After we got over the pure Ick Factor I'm not sure who broke the speed limit texting everyone else, me or Ez. Group ICK Dance followed.
So, long day, 10 hours serving coffee to the "Special People" and I come home. Himself is still mildly annoyed that his cart hasn't been completed- me without my magic wand, kisses his nose. I reach down to help him get up and HE SITS UP ON HIS OWN! With one thrust of his front legs, he's SITTING UP! I, of course, go ballistic hooting and hollaring and he winks at me, like he's been planning that move all day. Tonight I am wealthy beyond count. NO ONE is richer than I am tonight. My boy can sit up on his own. NO ONE COULD BE Richer than I am tonight.
Ahhhh, bliss.
So, I got up- he's as big as I am, 120 lbs, 5 feet long, 3 feet something tall, he's a Big Boy. The cart is to allow me to push him to and from his rehab pool in the backyard and the Jeep without having to toss him over my shoulder in a fireman's carry, which is painful for me after a couple of trips. So, I took out my stash of drinking straws and made a model. He didn't like it so I made another one. It was approved- conditionally- so I made a scale model and then brought in all of the PVC pipe and started cutting. It was rather large, about the size of our dining room table. So, I sat down, pondered and scaled it back a bit. When I had to go into work it was about 70% finished. I'm going to sleep on it and then take another stab at it tomorrow.
So, I get into work, same ol', same ol' but with my new found commitment to wealthy thoughts I actively sought out stuff to appreciate. I heard 27 or 28 different languages spoken today. It hits my love of travel. I got to play with three babies, several toddlers-are there ANY beings on the planet more sure of themselves than 3 year old children?- Got caught in several seemingly endless frappaccino blizzards-I'm trying not to hate caramel frappaccinos but, alas that may be a losing battle- we made drinks, we cleaned, blah, blah, blah. Then Ez- a 20 year old kid I work with- said the "B" word. "B" word as in "I'm Bored" ARG!!!! I threw ice a him in punishment. He always forgets that the Gods LOVE it when you say the "B" word, they send every nut job, crazy in a 100 miles. Nature abhors a vaccuum as well as boredom. I could have killed him.
So, the latter part of the night was spent in simple survival mode. Top three crazy people- 3. Teeny bopper girl who asked if our coffee had caffeine in it, you know the stuff that keeps you awake? 2. Woman comes in and says that she's there to pick up her coffee order. We have nothing scheduled, I made the requisite phone calls, get nothing but tell her we can do coffee for 300, no problem it'll just take me a few minutes to fill the cambros. She leaves to go and make sure she has the right place. Another woman comes in, asks to pick up her coffee order, we repeat. She then asks for our phone number, I give it to her. She walks out of the store and CALLS US to place her coffee order While She's Standing Outside our Front Door. I explain that she's just spoken to me, I'm the one that gave her our phone number, she replies that she finds it easier to place orders over the phone. I'm literally standing 15 feet from her talking to her on the phone. No words. 1. There is a young girl and boy who fuse themselves together in the comfy chairs for days at a time in our store, open to close they are in one of the comfy chairs making out. An older gentleman came in tonight, walked up the girl, tapped her shoulder and asked, "Did you think I wouldn't find out?" We popped our heads up to check out the drama. Girl rushes after dad, dramatic discussion held too low for us to hear, darn it, Dad ends the conversation by telling her to "Go get your brother, we're leaving." Girl walks back to boy she has been in a six month lip lock with and says, "Come on Dad says we have to go home now." After we got over the pure Ick Factor I'm not sure who broke the speed limit texting everyone else, me or Ez. Group ICK Dance followed.
So, long day, 10 hours serving coffee to the "Special People" and I come home. Himself is still mildly annoyed that his cart hasn't been completed- me without my magic wand, kisses his nose. I reach down to help him get up and HE SITS UP ON HIS OWN! With one thrust of his front legs, he's SITTING UP! I, of course, go ballistic hooting and hollaring and he winks at me, like he's been planning that move all day. Tonight I am wealthy beyond count. NO ONE is richer than I am tonight. My boy can sit up on his own. NO ONE COULD BE Richer than I am tonight.
Ahhhh, bliss.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Day Two
I must say that riding the high of listening to all of the wealth tapes did make going into work a much more pleasant experience. I simply pretended that I was doing it for fun. To get out among people and pick out character traits, make contacts for more freelance work, and to play with friends old and new. Instead of how I used to view it which was as a karmic debtors prison, indentured servitude, the 'dues' I was paying to be successful later on. My dues are paid in full. I have paid my debts, given my service and cut my swath through the jungle path. Now it's time for the pay off. Now it's time to let it all in, everything I've created, everything I've dreamed about, everything I've hoped and wished for, now is the time for my content-vs. dis-content.
When I went back to Starbucks-because I needed money and couldn't figure out any other way to get it- I had to give my word that I would stay there for a year in order to be hired back. (I'd never made it much past the 6 month mark on my 4 or 5 previous tours) The plan was that I would work there while we finished our first book. However, I allowed the drama to engulf me and I can assure you that Starbucks has Drama. Since I want, sorry, We- Cordy's my co-author in this- wanted the book to be a high, happy, joyful romp, and I didn't want to get any of the icky, dark, Drama bits on it, we didn't get squat written. Even when I would take a week off out of every three Something would happen to eat that week- a dying dog staying with us, a massive fight with my mom that left me hiding under the covers licking my wounds, whatever-so the plan didn't really work out that well. It was a VERY long year but I did it, back in April. April 28th to be precise. So, why am I still there?
Part of the reason why I keep going to back is that you get full benefits for 22.5 hours a week, problem is that I've never utilized them. I've paid for them, with every paycheck, but I've never used them. I'm not a big fan of modern medicine so that's one reason but I feel like I should use them before I go. Habit is another reason, it gives me something to bitch about. And, the limited amount of money it brings in does keep us in beer and bones. That said, there HAS to be a better way! There just HAS to be a better way! A happy, joyfilled, FUN way to finance my life. One that doesn't wring every last drop out of me or require the patience of Job to keep from smacking rude people from, well being, Rude all the time.
So, today I will look for positive aspects. Today I will find a way to make peace with being there. Today i will find some way to make it Fun. That is how I will feel wealthy today.
When I went back to Starbucks-because I needed money and couldn't figure out any other way to get it- I had to give my word that I would stay there for a year in order to be hired back. (I'd never made it much past the 6 month mark on my 4 or 5 previous tours) The plan was that I would work there while we finished our first book. However, I allowed the drama to engulf me and I can assure you that Starbucks has Drama. Since I want, sorry, We- Cordy's my co-author in this- wanted the book to be a high, happy, joyful romp, and I didn't want to get any of the icky, dark, Drama bits on it, we didn't get squat written. Even when I would take a week off out of every three Something would happen to eat that week- a dying dog staying with us, a massive fight with my mom that left me hiding under the covers licking my wounds, whatever-so the plan didn't really work out that well. It was a VERY long year but I did it, back in April. April 28th to be precise. So, why am I still there?
Part of the reason why I keep going to back is that you get full benefits for 22.5 hours a week, problem is that I've never utilized them. I've paid for them, with every paycheck, but I've never used them. I'm not a big fan of modern medicine so that's one reason but I feel like I should use them before I go. Habit is another reason, it gives me something to bitch about. And, the limited amount of money it brings in does keep us in beer and bones. That said, there HAS to be a better way! There just HAS to be a better way! A happy, joyfilled, FUN way to finance my life. One that doesn't wring every last drop out of me or require the patience of Job to keep from smacking rude people from, well being, Rude all the time.
So, today I will look for positive aspects. Today I will find a way to make peace with being there. Today i will find some way to make it Fun. That is how I will feel wealthy today.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The REAL Day One
Okay, we listened to the Already Wealthy Game.
We listened to the Wealth and Money Magnetizer.
We tapped, okay so I tapped, Cordy watched me with that look he gets sometimes that says that he thinks I've finally gone over the edge.
I'm not in debt, paid that off years ago but I'll listen to the Paid in Full Magnetizer tomorrow
Listened to the Money is No Object Magnetizer.
Tried to get someone to take over my shift at work tonight to make myself feel wealthy- unfortunately her sister had a baby this morning so That didn't work. Oh well, it'll be nice to get out of the house for a bit and out of my head from all of this writing that I've been doing. My brain still feels a little soft and tender this morning. And I need to stock up on Cordy's ice- our perk for working at Starbucks, endless ice.
I am wealthy in so many, many ways. I live with Corduroy who is priceless in everyway possible. I have no debt. I own my own car, rather I bought Cordy's Jeep for him and finished paying it off last year. I have more work than I know what to do with or hours in the day to do it. I have clothes to spare and organic food overflowing in the refrigerator. We found the GREATEST restaurant last week for Mom's birthday. It is exquisite in every way from food to service to ambiance, it is the place we have been looking for since I came home from Australia. It is perfection. My only bill is our car insurance. We have clean water and healthy wholesome food- not being trite here I've spent time in countries where these were luxury items. We live in a gorgeous house that is an absolute mess right now but I've been on deadline and that happens. I have a pool for Cordy's rehab and the materials to make a cart to get him to and from the pool with ease. (tossing all 120 lbs of him over my shoulder in a fireman's carry was not the easiest way to accomplish that task, so we have a new plan to implement.) I'm thinking about painting it racing car red once I finish building it. We have Air Conditioning, which is a HUGE luxury when it's 105 degrees outside like it is today. I have books, lots and lots of books. I love our writing jobs and just this morning I got word that I might get a new client. I have no idea how to do what they want done but I'm smart and I'll figure it out, or Cordy will and clue me in. At any rate we'll figure it out. And we have lots and Lots of free coffee which is priceless when the words are flowing and it's 3 am.
I am wealthy and getting richer all the time.
Tomorrow I must add in attracting a wealth of sleeping time and time off. If I could only remember what guilt free time off felt like...
The above audio clips are part of the Vibrational Millionaire 30 Day Wealth Magnetizing Program. If you want to play too check out this site for more information: http://feelitreal.com/onlinestore/vibrationalmillionaire/
We listened to the Wealth and Money Magnetizer.
We tapped, okay so I tapped, Cordy watched me with that look he gets sometimes that says that he thinks I've finally gone over the edge.
I'm not in debt, paid that off years ago but I'll listen to the Paid in Full Magnetizer tomorrow
Listened to the Money is No Object Magnetizer.
Tried to get someone to take over my shift at work tonight to make myself feel wealthy- unfortunately her sister had a baby this morning so That didn't work. Oh well, it'll be nice to get out of the house for a bit and out of my head from all of this writing that I've been doing. My brain still feels a little soft and tender this morning. And I need to stock up on Cordy's ice- our perk for working at Starbucks, endless ice.
I am wealthy in so many, many ways. I live with Corduroy who is priceless in everyway possible. I have no debt. I own my own car, rather I bought Cordy's Jeep for him and finished paying it off last year. I have more work than I know what to do with or hours in the day to do it. I have clothes to spare and organic food overflowing in the refrigerator. We found the GREATEST restaurant last week for Mom's birthday. It is exquisite in every way from food to service to ambiance, it is the place we have been looking for since I came home from Australia. It is perfection. My only bill is our car insurance. We have clean water and healthy wholesome food- not being trite here I've spent time in countries where these were luxury items. We live in a gorgeous house that is an absolute mess right now but I've been on deadline and that happens. I have a pool for Cordy's rehab and the materials to make a cart to get him to and from the pool with ease. (tossing all 120 lbs of him over my shoulder in a fireman's carry was not the easiest way to accomplish that task, so we have a new plan to implement.) I'm thinking about painting it racing car red once I finish building it. We have Air Conditioning, which is a HUGE luxury when it's 105 degrees outside like it is today. I have books, lots and lots of books. I love our writing jobs and just this morning I got word that I might get a new client. I have no idea how to do what they want done but I'm smart and I'll figure it out, or Cordy will and clue me in. At any rate we'll figure it out. And we have lots and Lots of free coffee which is priceless when the words are flowing and it's 3 am.
I am wealthy and getting richer all the time.
Tomorrow I must add in attracting a wealth of sleeping time and time off. If I could only remember what guilt free time off felt like...
The above audio clips are part of the Vibrational Millionaire 30 Day Wealth Magnetizing Program. If you want to play too check out this site for more information: http://feelitreal.com/onlinestore/vibrationalmillionaire/
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Day One
So, today is day one of the Millionaire game. I think it was supposed to have been yesterday but we had a deadline that I couldn't miss and didn't get the booklet in until late this afternoon. My brain feels all squishy and tender, like it's been hit repeatedly with a meat tenderizer after writing for four days straight. BUT we did get the first draft of the booklet in and that's what's important. I also found my kid related cause to go with our book series, 100% Literacy. That and making being Polite cool again. So, we have two causes to support.
I must admit that while I have downloaded the program that's all I've had time to do today so I guess tomorrow, Thursday will be our Official Kick Off. But, as you can tell my brain has shut down so starting tomorrow is probably our wisest course of action. Must sleep now, though it's good to know that I can still do 96 hours straight when I need to, with a couple of cat naps tossed in to maintain sanity of course.
I must admit that while I have downloaded the program that's all I've had time to do today so I guess tomorrow, Thursday will be our Official Kick Off. But, as you can tell my brain has shut down so starting tomorrow is probably our wisest course of action. Must sleep now, though it's good to know that I can still do 96 hours straight when I need to, with a couple of cat naps tossed in to maintain sanity of course.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
30 Day Rags to Riches
Tonight I got the most INCREDIBLE news! I will get to participate in the "The Vibrational Millionaire Program" ( you can check them out at http://feelitreal.com/vibrationalmillionaire/ or http://feelitreal.com/) Demise Coates is like the Most Amazing Woman in the world with this stuff and I am So Happy that I can get to play with her for the next thirty days.
Our challenge is to transform our financial picture from it's current beers and bones to champagne and caviar( or in Cordy's case daily piles of steamed spiced shrimp) that is much more in line with our vision of ourselves and the lifestyle we had become accustomed to in the past. I'm not quite sure where we got lost along the way, okay so I have a pretty good idea but I'm not sure how to turn it around on our own, and I cannot Wait to get started.
THANKS DENISE!!!
Our challenge is to transform our financial picture from it's current beers and bones to champagne and caviar( or in Cordy's case daily piles of steamed spiced shrimp) that is much more in line with our vision of ourselves and the lifestyle we had become accustomed to in the past. I'm not quite sure where we got lost along the way, okay so I have a pretty good idea but I'm not sure how to turn it around on our own, and I cannot Wait to get started.
THANKS DENISE!!!
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