MOM

All week I have been debating should I create Mother's Day blog message or not. If I did, what would I write? Mushy stuff? That's not me, I can't go there. Sentimental things? Not me either. Funny things? Yes, me but what.

Some how Mother's Day is just too personal. Each Mother has her own favorite moments to share with ours. I am going to take a wild stab and guess those stories have been shared with others. I know my best stories have been shared with others. These are the stories that come from the heart.

Then there are the Mothers with no physical children of their own. These women are just as caring and maternal as women with children of their own. These women share their stories of children is their lives. They relay stories of their beloved pets. These "children" receive no less love and care than human "children."

No way will I tackle the subject of what makes a great Mother. Great Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. We come from all different economic levels. Each one of us is unique. Each of us has our own style of parenting and mothering. But what we have in common is that in our hearts we want the absolute best for our children. And, to be slightly greedy after all that hard work, each Mother desires an adult relationship with their adult children.

Love,
MOM

For Women Only

The Battle of the Sexes is a story that has been written and rewritten too numerous times to count. On I Love Lucy, most of the themes were Lucy and Ethel versus Rickie and Fred. There are a variety of books written on the subject. Remember, Women are from Venus and Men are from Mars.

Today, I am only here to debate only one issue. Debate is probably not the correct word. Declare is a better word to describe this rift between the sexes.

LAUNDRY

Yes, something as simple as laundry! Personally, I do not like to generalize or stereo-type any group. But men as a whole can not do laundry. It's that simple.

Come on ladies, tell the truth. Has your other half ever taken over the chore of laundry? Can you answer yes to any of the below questions:

• How many pink pieces of clothing do you own that were once a sparkling white piece of clothing?
• How many sweaters have been transformed into "Barbie wear"?
• How many towels have been shredded?
• Has a favorite sweater come back with a 1,000,000 fuzz balls?
• Do you have any silk blouses or gentles that cannot be worn ever again?
• Do your socks have any mates?

My ex-husband, Felix (as in Unger - Odd Couple), was a much better wife and/or house Frau than me. When I was married, our house sparkled. The grocery cans were lined in perfect order. The guest towels stayed perfectly folded. I swear he walked around with a holster of Windex and paper towels. When we divorced, I truly mourned the loss of his domestic skills. But his laundry skills were completely non-existent. At that time, I could answer all of the above questions with a resounding "yes."

To men sorting the laundry is placing clothing in equal piles. They tend to brag, "Honey, I got all the laundry in only 2 loads. Isn't that great? I don't know why it takes you so long to do laundry. It's not that hard."

Like most things in life, there is the mechanical/science of a task, then there is the art of the process. My theory is that men do not understand that there is an art of doing laundry.

A Laundry Goddess - MOM

Tap, Tap, Tap

It's the sound of the rain. Or, in the Dr Suess book, Mister Brown can Moo, it is dibble, dibble dopp. Since we have secretly switched geographic places with Seattle, it is a sound we have been hearing quite often. Perhaps today, I will form a posse to find the sun. Remember when George Bailey was going to lasso the moon for Mary. This Mary may try to lasso the sun.

In our culture we only tolerate the rain. We realize rain is necessary for growth and life on this planet. But only a few people enjoy days of rain.

We have sayings such as: "A little rain must fall into our lives," "Saving for a rainy day," and "It's raining cats and dogs." Not one of these sayings is all that positive. But it's true. Just as the flowers and plant life need rain, humans do as well. Rain (Pain) when handled positively will most likely help us grow to become stronger and blossom. With our friends and family as the fertilizer, rain (pain) is passing and a time for growth.

Of course, the sun is vitally important. Rarely if ever do we say "sun, sun go away." We have sun worshipers. Most of us are happy and have extra energy on sunny days. But if were not for the rain in our lives, would we appreciate the sun (good times) as much?

Though at this point after 6 days of rainy days, as the Fifth Dimension sang: "Let the Sunshine In"!

MOM

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Yikes, this is the second Sunday in a row that it is raining. Mind you, not just a drizzle, but a gentle constant rain all day long. This is great for the flowers. Maybe just, maybe, they have had enough. The worms may be happy.

The constant rain day is akin to the snow day. Sit back and enjoy! Sometimes, the occasional television series marathon is good to watch on a day like today. That is how I got hooked on "America's Next Top Model." One raining or snowy Sunday, I watched the marathon and was hooked. Another one of my favorite "stay-in-the-house" things to do is watch movies.

Being the organized person that I am, of course, I have a numbered list of my favorite movies. The movies are not in any particular order. The reason most of the movies are on the list is because they have survived the test of time. I will gladly sit through them again and again. (That's one of my biggest criteria for a good movie. Can I sit through it?)

Here goes:

1. Slumdog - Yes, this is the newest academy award winning movie. Years from now, it may not be on my list. But I loved everything about this movie - the story, the setting, the subtitles, no high profile actors, and the execution of the story. Perfect! Since November, I have seen the movie twice and will not doubt see it again.

2. Holiday Inn - No, not the hotel chain. This is the 1942 movie about holidays (one of my favorite themes). The first time I saw this movie was on a daytime morning show when I was home sick from school. It took me years to find it on DVD. The movie stars Fred Astaire (no Ginger) and Bing Crosby. Of course, Bing ends up with the girl. But the dance routines are fabulous. In fact, I love all Fred Astaire movies.

3. Chocolat - Enjoy the story, the characters, and of course Johnny Depp. The lead character played by Juliet Binochet was great. The power of chocolate is hard to beat. Also, I have been a Johnny Depp for a very long time. Long before it was fashionable. Other than this movie, one of my favorite Johnny Depp movies is Benny and Joon.

4. Rear Window - Grace Kelly, Alfred Hitchcock, Jimmy Stewart and Raymond Burr. It's a thriller. And, Grace wears some fabulous outfits. Another Jimmy Stewart and Alfred Hitchcock movie worth mentioning is The Rope.

5. Devil Wears Prada - Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Adrien Grenier and the FASHION!

6. Empire Records - cult classic

7. Drop Dead Gorgeous - cult classic. Also, Kirsty Ally for once gave a stellar performance. The Minnesota accents are great. Of course, Denise Richards was the only character in movie without a Minnesota accent.

8. The Godfather - 1 - need I say more

9. Grease - a modern day musical

10. Wizard of Oz - just a classic. During the 1990's, I heard that some children were frightened by the movie the Lion King, I laughed. When Monkey was little, she carried around a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West. And the catch phase, "There's no place like home."

11. Terms of Endearment - The first movie when Jack Nicholson started playing "Jack Nicholson." Shirley McLaine as Aurora and her relationship with her daughter. It's a must for every mother-daughter.

12. Steel Magnolias - In this movie, the supporting characters steal the movie. Olivia Dukasis, Shirley McLaine, Dolly Parton, etc. were all fabulous.

13. Bridget Jones 2 - The scene where Bridget is locked up in the Shang-hi jailed and she has formed a choir to sing Madonna's "Like a Virgin." Hysterical!

14. The In-Laws - The original one with Peter Falk and Alan Arkin is truly one of the funniest movies. Listen closing to the mutterings and stories of the Peter Falk characters. Then there is the SERPENTINE! scene.

15. Remember the Titans - Hands down to me, one of the best sports movies. I am a sucker for a sports movie. No matter how many times I watch these movies, I am on the edge of my seat during the game. A few other favorite sports movies are: Sandlot, The Natural, and the true story of the 1976 US hockey team.

16. Finally, the perfect one for a day like today, Singing in the Rain.


So, microwave the popcorn and enjoy!

MOM

Rain, Rain Go Away

Yes, it has been raining for the last three days. Only people with farms, gardens and futures in commodities welcome the rain. So let's play what are my ten favorite things to do. (These are in no particular order. All of items below bring me great joy.)

1. Savoring a Ghirardelli dark chocolate square with caramel. MMMMMMMMMMM!!!

2. Writing my blog. It's a great creative outlet.

3. The whole process of scrap booking. Starting with the picture taking, looking a the pictures and creatively scrapping them. Of course, admiring my creative work.

4. Listening to the waves crash of a large body of water. When in Grand Marais, I love sitting on the rocks and listening to waves. It's one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. (Lake Superior is a Midwestern ocean.)

5. Spending quality time with my girls (Neptune and Monkey). Personally, I find them fascinating and interesting adults.

6. Enjoying a great meal in a great restaurant with a good friend or a group of good friends.

7. Without a doubt, spending time with Coco. She is a gift.

8. Traveling to new destinations. To me, traveling equals discovery. That reminds me, I need to take a trip soon. It's been far too long without a vacation.

9. Watching a particular television show or movie with a good friend or a group of good friends.

10. Being the company of positive, energetic, enthusiastic and generous people and sharing a great conversation. Yes, the lively art of conversation.

These are just some of my favorite things to do. Perhaps each of you could share (in the comments) a few of your favorite to dos.

In the meantime, the forecast for tomorrow is sunny.

Make it a great week.

MOM

Mary Watts - seeking fabulous new opportunity

For the last two weeks, I have been attending the Dale Carnegie program "Effective Communications and Human Relations. First off, I can't say enough good things about the program. As I mentioned in my last blog, within a supportive environment the Dale facilitors stretch everyone to be their best.

At the end of the 12-week program, we have an opportunity to present our "Breakthrough" project. Needless to say, my project is to outline my job search strategy and progress. Hopefully, the truly successful outcome will be that great opportunity to fit my needs. So below is my first document to share with my network. It is a one-page summary of my experiences, accomplishments, and desired new role.

Please as always, if you have comments, please send them to me.

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Mary Watts is an energetic, enthusiastic professional with more than 20 years of experience in the retained executive search industry. While attending night school at DePaul University, she started in the industry in 1979 as a receptionist with Heidrick and Struggles, Inc. Upon completing her degree, she moved to the Ward Howell International as an administrative assistant and office manager. During her 15 year tenure with WHI, Mary continued a successful ascent into increasingly more responsible roles. Her last role with newly formed LAI Ward Howell was Research Associate. In 2000, she joined her mentor at A. T. Kearney Executive search as a Senior Consultant. In 2004, Mary had the opportunity to join The Jacobson Group Executive Search division in a management role. She accepted.

Upon joining The Jacobson Group as Assistant Vice President, Project Management Mary reported to the Senior Vice President-JES. As member of the JES Management Committee, she maintained responsibility for the management of the fulfillment portion of the Jacobson Executive Search (JES) process and directly supervised and mentored the JES project management and fulfillment team. Some of her accomplishments are outlined below:

· Built a strong team of recruiting and sales professionals
· Developed and implemented an on-boarding and on-going training program for Project Managers. Also created a career development track to develop the next generation of company producers and managers.
· Improved the timeliness of the search project deliverables.
· Founding member of the corporate-wide training program. Developed training modules and train-the-trainer program.

Below are two recommendations for Mary:

“Mary is an excellent management professional who is confident and effective in her day-to-day responsibilities and who was an enlightened and knowledgeable contributor to the longer term success of our group. She is a gifted mentor who instills confidence and self-respect in her people and she is a tireless teacher. I recommend her without qualification.” November 5, 2008 -Daniel Gattis , Managing Director , The Jacobson Group - managed Mary at Jacobson Executive Search
“I have had the pleasure of working with Mary Watts at two different companies. She is the ultimate professional and I am always amazed at her ability to grasp and understand a process or a strategy and quickly and successfully move forward with it. From our professional introduction we have grown into personal friends and I would welcome the opportunity to work with her again in the future. - Maryla Smith Senior Management Recruiter Corporate Recruiting Wal-Mart Stores, Inc” November 8, 2008

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While Mary has spent much of career with the retained search industry, she is quite open to other opportunities and industries. Her skills and experiences lend themselves to the corporate world of human resources, recruiting and training. With her successful management of the fulfillment side of the retained search process, she is qualified to built and manage a team in a setting such as a call center as well. Currently, she is enrolled in the Dale Carnegie program, “Effective Communication and Human Relations” to continually enhance your skills.

Life Lesson - Aunt Marie Style

On Tuesday evenings for 12 weeks, I am participating in the Dale Carnegie Program - Effective Communications & Human Relations. It has only been two weeks and it already is changing my life both personally and professionally. It has truly energized my job search. The program stretches each individual to become their best. This week, one of our assignments was to report on a personal or professional breakthrough moment in our lives. We needed to be specific on the details and report to the other participants.

So I want to share my report with you. WARNING!!! I may not come cross as well in the written form as it did when I stood in front of the group. But let's try.

PICTURE THIS!

I am approximately 8 years old. I am a chubby girl with short tight curly hair. At that point in my life, I hated my appearance. My shoulders usually were rounded to hide from the world. My family, which included Blanche, Lorraine, Aunt Marie, Jupiter and me, were spending the day at Santa's Village in East Dundee. In its day, it was the amusement park of destination. Of course, this was before Great America.

As its name suggests, Santa Village was a themed amusement park decorated with Christmas shops and a villagey atmosphere. My personal favorite ride was the tall Christmas tree with round Christmas ornaments that would extend up and out from the tree to create a ride similar to a merry-go-round. After that ride, the family gathered on a bench near a small man-made stream with a bridge as the walkway.

My mother insisted on a picture of Jupiter, Aunt Marie and me on that bridge. "Just let me die," was my thought. The three of us stood on the small bridge to pose. Of course, my shoulders were slumped in shame. Aunt Marie was standing behind us. She gently touched my shoulders and whispered into my ear, "Put your shoulders back and pretend that you own the place." I did it, but was thoroughly confused.

Later I asked her what she meant by "ask like you own the place."

She replied, "If you own the place, you are proud to be there. You will stand taller and more confident. That way no one will question you if you belong there or not."

WOW! So now when entering a new situation, I stand tall, take a quick breath and pretend to own the place. Now that's confidence building.

Thanks Aunt Marie.

MOM