The saying for March goes, "In like a lamb and out like a lion." Whoa! Here in the Chicagoland area, this was very true. March has been delightful! We've had some wonderfully warm and sunny days. Neptune and I have been comparing gardening stories and tips. Some days, we have not had to even wear a coat. Harley and I have enjoyed backyard (patio) grilling our dinners. We have agreed that there is little better in life than a perfectly baked potato on the grill.
This Sunday (March 29) I awoke to at least 6" of frozen, wet snow draping the ground and trees. Everyone had an opinion. To me, it was utterly beautiful. My backyard has many grand old oak and maple trees. With the amount and the type of snow we received, my street was transformed into a scene from photograph or movie. Quickly before it melted, I shot an entire roll of black/white film. (Yes, I still use film and not digital.) As soon as I have the pictures, I will try to download a few for the blog.
The timing of the snowstorm also could be thought of as an early April Fool's joke from Mother Nature. April Fool's Day is not a "real" holiday or holy day. And, can you believe, I don't have a special meal to prepare for this day? But April 1 can be a fun day for the light hearted. Please be sure to know your audience when staging a gag. Not everyone appreciates the frivolity. Here's a link about the history of the day. http://www.april-fools.us/history-april-fools.htm
While April does not have any Federal or State holidays, it is filled with many observances. Easter is just around the corner. Like Christmas, Easter has become a commercial holiday as well as a religious holiday. Then there is "Earth Day", "Professional Assistant Day," and "Holocaust Remembrance Day."
All the these days including April Fool's Day have a common theme or thread. April is the month of renewal and birth. These days represent a fresh start. The darkness and worst is behind us. Celebrate life and all it has to offer you. Look forward to the sunshine and growth ahead.
Let the sun shine in! MOM
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Doors and Windows
Last Saturday, I met up with Harley, Neptune and Coco to browse through the local home show. It has years since I have updated anything in my home. Neptune and Harley have a new home and are anxious to start remodeling and personalizing their home. But BAM! comes the recession (or depression). Harley and I are both in transition. (Let's call it what is it. We are desperately seeking employment.)
In past, I have gone to browse at the local home shows. It usually is fun to see what's new and exciting in home decor. But this year, the vendors were hungry! There was no idling for a second in front of a booth. If you did, you were gripped by the claws of a vendor. The vendors would not take no for an answer. They sold their hearts out and trying to schedule concrete appointments to give estimates.
The only two people who had a good time were Coco and the Balloon man. The Balloon man had nothing to sell. He was giving away animal-shaped balloons to children. At first, Coco was tentative. But after a few minutes, she kept toddling back to the Balloon man. He'd make her another balloon. She would smile and giggle. Those two had a good time and no strings attached.
Now to my point of doors and windows. The saying goes, "when a door closes, a window is opened." Many unemployed Americans have had the door closed on them. Sometimes that door feels like bank vault door that has been slammed shut and there is no escape. The only escape is some time in the future when and if the economy turns around. Some of the more optimistic are fumbling in the dark. They are relying on their senses of touch, smell, and hearing to try and find the window.
The windows may be anywhere in the vault of darkness. The windows may be moving and changing with every news tick of the DOW. Some times the window is opened a crack. The crack is not open enough to crawl out, but just enough to let some light and fresh air into the vault. When this happens, it's called inspiration and motivation. Inspiration and motivation are somewhat like clues. With each clue, the shut-in may come closer to finding the window and actually opening it to the next opportunity. So, not trying to be too silly, but think of the escape from the vault as a video game. Can you picture it? You may have to win many levels, but you will escape. Every time a shut-in leaves the vault, we all win.
So don't let the sample windows at the home show be the only windows.
MOM
In past, I have gone to browse at the local home shows. It usually is fun to see what's new and exciting in home decor. But this year, the vendors were hungry! There was no idling for a second in front of a booth. If you did, you were gripped by the claws of a vendor. The vendors would not take no for an answer. They sold their hearts out and trying to schedule concrete appointments to give estimates.
The only two people who had a good time were Coco and the Balloon man. The Balloon man had nothing to sell. He was giving away animal-shaped balloons to children. At first, Coco was tentative. But after a few minutes, she kept toddling back to the Balloon man. He'd make her another balloon. She would smile and giggle. Those two had a good time and no strings attached.
Now to my point of doors and windows. The saying goes, "when a door closes, a window is opened." Many unemployed Americans have had the door closed on them. Sometimes that door feels like bank vault door that has been slammed shut and there is no escape. The only escape is some time in the future when and if the economy turns around. Some of the more optimistic are fumbling in the dark. They are relying on their senses of touch, smell, and hearing to try and find the window.
The windows may be anywhere in the vault of darkness. The windows may be moving and changing with every news tick of the DOW. Some times the window is opened a crack. The crack is not open enough to crawl out, but just enough to let some light and fresh air into the vault. When this happens, it's called inspiration and motivation. Inspiration and motivation are somewhat like clues. With each clue, the shut-in may come closer to finding the window and actually opening it to the next opportunity. So, not trying to be too silly, but think of the escape from the vault as a video game. Can you picture it? You may have to win many levels, but you will escape. Every time a shut-in leaves the vault, we all win.
So don't let the sample windows at the home show be the only windows.
MOM
She's Baaack!
Yes! My inner Martha is BACK! For the last week or two, I was wondering where she was hiding. Worse yet, Martha got so bored with me that left for good. With my inner Martha, I feel on top of the world. I have a energy back and am ready to tackle the world again.
Inner Martha returned in full force yesterday. She had been showing small signs of return during late last week. How do I know she is back? It's so easy. When inner Martha is around, I have enormous energy and optimism. Since the sun was shining and temperature was perfect (65). without much planning (my creativity at its peak), I redesigned the gardens. I worked non-stop for six hours digging up rocks and digging trenches/moats along the garden beds. The only reason I stopped was because I ran out of materials.
She's still with me today. This morning, I woke before the alarms and have been cleaning and networking. I even have cookie ingredients out to bake later.
Here's to creativity and energy.
Inner Martha returned in full force yesterday. She had been showing small signs of return during late last week. How do I know she is back? It's so easy. When inner Martha is around, I have enormous energy and optimism. Since the sun was shining and temperature was perfect (65). without much planning (my creativity at its peak), I redesigned the gardens. I worked non-stop for six hours digging up rocks and digging trenches/moats along the garden beds. The only reason I stopped was because I ran out of materials.
She's still with me today. This morning, I woke before the alarms and have been cleaning and networking. I even have cookie ingredients out to bake later.
Here's to creativity and energy.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wave the Flag
March is not quite February, but it does not need to be. This year, Spring is here in March not May! That in it self makes me want to celebrate. But March is no slouch in the holiday department either.
Here in Illinois, on March 4, we have Casmir Pulaski Day. Rumor has it, that many years ago, when the fine legislative body of Illinois was trying to pass the Federal holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr., a deal was struck to add Casmir's day to appease Chicagoland's Polish population. Chicago has more people of Polish decent than any other city in world outside of Warsaw, Poland. (Casmir Pulaski was a Polish general who supported the United States during the Revolutionary War.)
Then the big holiday of March is St Patrick's Day. Here again, Chicago holds the claims to have the largest St Patrick's Day parade in the world outside of Dublin, Ireland. Growing up in Chicago with an Irish Mayor (Daley #1), everyone was Irish. Even with our Catholic school uniforms, we were allowed to wear a green accessory. At home, we celebrated with a dinner of corned beef, boil cabbage and potatoes. During my 20's, I truly celebrated in true style, I drank green beer. One year, St Patrick's Day fell on a Friday. Whoa! On Saturday, I woke up with green hands and a green tongue from all the green beer I drank on Friday night. Now, I toast St Patrick with a margarita (it's green!).
Tomorrow (March 19) is a lesser known holiday. Like St Patrick's Day, it is a Catholic saint's holiday. Unlike the other two holidays, Chicago can not lay claim to having the largest Italian population in the world. The holiday is St. Joseph's Day. This is a far more holy day than holiday. But as a child growing up in Chicago, the Italian population knew how to celebrate this holy day/holiday. Many of the Italian neighborhoods and Catholic churches would celebrate with an Italian dinner. Of course, Aunt Marie knew all of them and which ones were the best. On the evening of March 19, we would dress in red and wait for Aunt Marie to drive us to the best (please don't take offense to this) I-talian food celebration. Yes, Aunt Marie was one of those people who said "I-talians." No one else in the family did.
Unfortunately, most of us who grew up in the city during the 1950's and 1960's eventually moved to the suburbs. We are now third and fourth generation decent to the United States. Many of our traditions have blended and faded away. For many suburbs, a "Taste of Name your Suburb" would be all Kraft and Sara Lee products (Tombstone pizza, velveeta, and wonder bread). So tomorrow, I will be making an Italian dinner reminiscent of the old St Joseph's Day Italian dinners.
Ciao - MOM
Here in Illinois, on March 4, we have Casmir Pulaski Day. Rumor has it, that many years ago, when the fine legislative body of Illinois was trying to pass the Federal holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr., a deal was struck to add Casmir's day to appease Chicagoland's Polish population. Chicago has more people of Polish decent than any other city in world outside of Warsaw, Poland. (Casmir Pulaski was a Polish general who supported the United States during the Revolutionary War.)
Then the big holiday of March is St Patrick's Day. Here again, Chicago holds the claims to have the largest St Patrick's Day parade in the world outside of Dublin, Ireland. Growing up in Chicago with an Irish Mayor (Daley #1), everyone was Irish. Even with our Catholic school uniforms, we were allowed to wear a green accessory. At home, we celebrated with a dinner of corned beef, boil cabbage and potatoes. During my 20's, I truly celebrated in true style, I drank green beer. One year, St Patrick's Day fell on a Friday. Whoa! On Saturday, I woke up with green hands and a green tongue from all the green beer I drank on Friday night. Now, I toast St Patrick with a margarita (it's green!).
Tomorrow (March 19) is a lesser known holiday. Like St Patrick's Day, it is a Catholic saint's holiday. Unlike the other two holidays, Chicago can not lay claim to having the largest Italian population in the world. The holiday is St. Joseph's Day. This is a far more holy day than holiday. But as a child growing up in Chicago, the Italian population knew how to celebrate this holy day/holiday. Many of the Italian neighborhoods and Catholic churches would celebrate with an Italian dinner. Of course, Aunt Marie knew all of them and which ones were the best. On the evening of March 19, we would dress in red and wait for Aunt Marie to drive us to the best (please don't take offense to this) I-talian food celebration. Yes, Aunt Marie was one of those people who said "I-talians." No one else in the family did.
Unfortunately, most of us who grew up in the city during the 1950's and 1960's eventually moved to the suburbs. We are now third and fourth generation decent to the United States. Many of our traditions have blended and faded away. For many suburbs, a "Taste of Name your Suburb" would be all Kraft and Sara Lee products (Tombstone pizza, velveeta, and wonder bread). So tomorrow, I will be making an Italian dinner reminiscent of the old St Joseph's Day Italian dinners.
Ciao - MOM
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Sunny Side Up !
Today is a gloriously sunny day. My mood is strongly influenced by the weather. So, I thought I would write a sunny and positive blog entry today.
Yes, way too many of us are unemployed or in transition. Our lifestyles have been changed. Below are a few positives or sliver linings to the current unemployment in my life:
Yes, way too many of us are unemployed or in transition. Our lifestyles have been changed. Below are a few positives or sliver linings to the current unemployment in my life:
- Sleep - no more rising at 4:45 AM to make the 6:22 AM train downtown. Now I sleep to at least 7:00 AM every day. Instead 6 hours of sleep each night, I am averaging 8 or more hours of sleep each night. I am well rested.
- Commute - Speaking of catching the train, I have been out of work since November 4. So, I did not have to experience the bitter cold and snow while waiting for the morning train.
- Light of Day - I saw daylight! When leaving to catch the 6:22, it's still night time. Leaving the office after 5:00 PM, it is night time. Being home, I saw the sunrise and sunset every day. I was not locked into my corporate castle.
- Fashion - My entire professional winter wardrobe was not worn. This saved wear and tear and dry cleaning bills. Also, next winter at my new job, all those clothes will be new to my new peers.
- Explore - This time away from the office has given me an opportunity to explore certain interests of mine. If you remember, I explored my inner martha through cooking and baking. After four months of martha things, I know I am not a homemaker.
- Writing - If it were not for the unemployment thing, I never ever would have attempted a blog. Between working, the commute and life, I was lucky I could write a sentence, let alone a weekly blog.
- Friendships - This time has afforded me the opportunity to re-develop and nurture friendships.
- Family - It has been wonderful spending more time with my family, especially Coco.
Believe me, I am looking forward to returning to the gainfully employed. On many levels, I need to return to work. But I must admit, I have enjoyed my time away from the rat race more than I thought I would.
Oh, Happy Birthday to Sweet Potato and Darling.
MOM
Friday, March 6, 2009
PINK CADILLAC
OK, they were not exactly Pink Cadillacs but they were two late 1950's Oldsmobiles. Just about the same thing. These cars were living rooms on wheels.
Before I start with the story, let's begin with the cast of characters. My grandmother, Blanche, had three female first cousins, Helen, Marie and Margaret. The focus of this story is on Marie. I called her Aunt Marie. In reality, she was my third cousin. More explanation is necessary. Helen and Margaret lived in Madison, Wisconsin. Marie, the Auntie Mame of the group, moved to Chicago and lived nearby my family. (I lived with my grandmother and mother.) Blanche and Marie always said, "we are like sisters." Stay with me here. Their mothers were sisters and the fathers were brothers. So, two brothers married two sisters. Marie (& sisters) and Blanche were double first cousins. Growing up, we spent oodles of times with Aunt Marie. She was a character larger than life.
Her sister, Margaret, was dowdy. Picture a farm woman and that's Margaret. She was an Amazon woman. Her hair was entirely gray and severely pulled back into a bun. These two sisters were very close. During my childhood, for some dark reason, Helen was out of the picture.
Margaret and Marie had matching Oldsmobiles. These Oldmobiles had the fins! In the back seat, my sister, Jupiter, and I would actually play in the backseat. (This was long before seat belts and car seats.) Margaret's car was pink and Marie's was white. I always questioned, why did Margaret have the pink car? It made no sense to me. As I mentioned, Margaret was not what a person would associate with the color pink. While Aunt Marie's hair was dyed red. She wore makeup and very stylish clothes. Marie left the farm far behind her and drove a white car?! I am guessing Marie lost the coin toss.
In those years, not ever woman drove a car. Approximately, only 50% of women had a drivers' license and actually drove a car on a regular basis. Aunt Marie was always ahead of the times. Neither my mother nor grandmother drove. Jupiter, and I saw the world from the back seat of an Oldsmobile.
Curiously, one day, I asked Aunt Marie how did she learn to drive. Aunt Marie said to me, "Honey, I had this car sitting in the garage. As a cop, Fred, her husband, worked nights. I finally got tired of sitting around by myself. So, one day, I started the car and started driving around the block. I would only make right-hand turns. As I became more confident, the circle grew and grew. Later that week, I drove to my friend's house. We got in the car and started driving towards the restaurant.
The friend asked, "When did you get your drivers' license?"
Aunt Marie replied, "I didn't. Now that I know how to drive, I will get it next week."
That's only one of many fantastic stories about my Aunt Marie.
MOM
Before I start with the story, let's begin with the cast of characters. My grandmother, Blanche, had three female first cousins, Helen, Marie and Margaret. The focus of this story is on Marie. I called her Aunt Marie. In reality, she was my third cousin. More explanation is necessary. Helen and Margaret lived in Madison, Wisconsin. Marie, the Auntie Mame of the group, moved to Chicago and lived nearby my family. (I lived with my grandmother and mother.) Blanche and Marie always said, "we are like sisters." Stay with me here. Their mothers were sisters and the fathers were brothers. So, two brothers married two sisters. Marie (& sisters) and Blanche were double first cousins. Growing up, we spent oodles of times with Aunt Marie. She was a character larger than life.
Her sister, Margaret, was dowdy. Picture a farm woman and that's Margaret. She was an Amazon woman. Her hair was entirely gray and severely pulled back into a bun. These two sisters were very close. During my childhood, for some dark reason, Helen was out of the picture.
Margaret and Marie had matching Oldsmobiles. These Oldmobiles had the fins! In the back seat, my sister, Jupiter, and I would actually play in the backseat. (This was long before seat belts and car seats.) Margaret's car was pink and Marie's was white. I always questioned, why did Margaret have the pink car? It made no sense to me. As I mentioned, Margaret was not what a person would associate with the color pink. While Aunt Marie's hair was dyed red. She wore makeup and very stylish clothes. Marie left the farm far behind her and drove a white car?! I am guessing Marie lost the coin toss.
In those years, not ever woman drove a car. Approximately, only 50% of women had a drivers' license and actually drove a car on a regular basis. Aunt Marie was always ahead of the times. Neither my mother nor grandmother drove. Jupiter, and I saw the world from the back seat of an Oldsmobile.
Curiously, one day, I asked Aunt Marie how did she learn to drive. Aunt Marie said to me, "Honey, I had this car sitting in the garage. As a cop, Fred, her husband, worked nights. I finally got tired of sitting around by myself. So, one day, I started the car and started driving around the block. I would only make right-hand turns. As I became more confident, the circle grew and grew. Later that week, I drove to my friend's house. We got in the car and started driving towards the restaurant.
The friend asked, "When did you get your drivers' license?"
Aunt Marie replied, "I didn't. Now that I know how to drive, I will get it next week."
That's only one of many fantastic stories about my Aunt Marie.
MOM
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Stay the Course
How's this working for you?
To me "staying the course" means unrelentingly moving forward with blinders on your eyes and not listening to anything. You may as well being listening to your iPod at full blast and hitting the tree in front of you because the tree happens to be on the course. At this point in our country, it will be very difficult to "stay the course." Tenacity and perseverance are fabulous qualities when paired with openness and a strategy.
None of this has anything to do with the war. This is about unemployment. Last night at a group meeting, nearly half of the group is unemployed or has had their hours cut. Twice a month, I attend a"job seekers" group for the unemployed. The room is filled with people wanting to work and who need to work. Believe me, times are tough.
"Necessity is the Mother of Invention." I will add that, "Necessity is the Mother of Re-Invention." Madonna is the best example of re-invention. This is a woman with modest talent. To her credit, she continues to grow and re-invent herself. Thirty years ago, who would have thought Madonna would still be performing to packed stadiums?
For those who are unemployed, we need to examine how can we re-invent ourselves? This open time could be looked at as a gift to veer from the course and steer ourselves onto a better path. This is the perfect time to invest in ourselves. In our oodles of spare time, perhaps we can investigate what do we love. Where's our passion?
From my blog, you know I have studied my inner martha. While she was fun and great for awhile, those fun things (cooking, baking, crocheting, etc.) are not a lifetime passion for me. But I am glad I had the chance to test my inner martha theory. My passion for success is outside the home and in the workforce. In late March, I am starting a class that should enhance my professional as well as personal skills.
A family member, Harley, is another great example for reinvention. For his short career (7 years), he has been a mechanic. As of early January, Harley was laid off from his job. While it was not his ideal job, it was a job. During his down time, Harley and his wife started a health regime including diet and daily exercise. Between his weekly karate class and the daily exercise, Harley has discovered a new passion. As we speak, he is putting together a strategy to switch careers and fulfill his dream. From this new found discovery of exercise and diet, he envisions an entire long-term career path.
You say, where is the money to pay for this? Yes, it is a concern. Personally, I charged the tuition onto my Visa. Believe me, over the years I have placed so many frivolous things on that card, this charge was finally an investment in me. As for Harley, he has searched the Internet for government grants and loans.
So reinvention does not need to be a completely new career. It can be as simple as investing in broadening your skill base. Think of Oreo cookies. There is a stable brand that has reinvented itself through line extensions. This is the time to invest in ourselves and hopefully, we will never have to experience another underemployment in our careers again.
Good luck to all.
MOM
To me "staying the course" means unrelentingly moving forward with blinders on your eyes and not listening to anything. You may as well being listening to your iPod at full blast and hitting the tree in front of you because the tree happens to be on the course. At this point in our country, it will be very difficult to "stay the course." Tenacity and perseverance are fabulous qualities when paired with openness and a strategy.
None of this has anything to do with the war. This is about unemployment. Last night at a group meeting, nearly half of the group is unemployed or has had their hours cut. Twice a month, I attend a"job seekers" group for the unemployed. The room is filled with people wanting to work and who need to work. Believe me, times are tough.
"Necessity is the Mother of Invention." I will add that, "Necessity is the Mother of Re-Invention." Madonna is the best example of re-invention. This is a woman with modest talent. To her credit, she continues to grow and re-invent herself. Thirty years ago, who would have thought Madonna would still be performing to packed stadiums?
For those who are unemployed, we need to examine how can we re-invent ourselves? This open time could be looked at as a gift to veer from the course and steer ourselves onto a better path. This is the perfect time to invest in ourselves. In our oodles of spare time, perhaps we can investigate what do we love. Where's our passion?
From my blog, you know I have studied my inner martha. While she was fun and great for awhile, those fun things (cooking, baking, crocheting, etc.) are not a lifetime passion for me. But I am glad I had the chance to test my inner martha theory. My passion for success is outside the home and in the workforce. In late March, I am starting a class that should enhance my professional as well as personal skills.
A family member, Harley, is another great example for reinvention. For his short career (7 years), he has been a mechanic. As of early January, Harley was laid off from his job. While it was not his ideal job, it was a job. During his down time, Harley and his wife started a health regime including diet and daily exercise. Between his weekly karate class and the daily exercise, Harley has discovered a new passion. As we speak, he is putting together a strategy to switch careers and fulfill his dream. From this new found discovery of exercise and diet, he envisions an entire long-term career path.
You say, where is the money to pay for this? Yes, it is a concern. Personally, I charged the tuition onto my Visa. Believe me, over the years I have placed so many frivolous things on that card, this charge was finally an investment in me. As for Harley, he has searched the Internet for government grants and loans.
So reinvention does not need to be a completely new career. It can be as simple as investing in broadening your skill base. Think of Oreo cookies. There is a stable brand that has reinvented itself through line extensions. This is the time to invest in ourselves and hopefully, we will never have to experience another underemployment in our careers again.
Good luck to all.
MOM
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