Monthly Archives: August 2015

So, it is a shame when I would rather work with pets or animals versus…

Posted on by
Reply

I for the last 12 years have either worked with children or animals. I have been a nanny, home teacher, tutor, after school provider etc. I have also done pet sitting and dog walking. No matter how many degrees I have, I would rather work with these populations than working with adults. I mean of course animals are a cake walk outside of cleaning up their poop and kids have their challenges and tantrums. But I would rather deal with that than work with adults.

I feel that working with people in or near my age group is tricky. Either there is a competition because I am younger than they are, or we have nothing in common because they are younger and we are at different stages. Or, I just can’t relate to the people. I often enjoy working with men more than women and I hate to say that, but it is just so much easier.

I of course have had friends on jobs, but I don’t necessarily enjoy the company of these people. A lot of times it is a political thing. Be nice to your supervisor so that there is job security. Or be nice to your office mate so that they will have your back. Another one is be nice to everyone so that you won’t be the person to be gossiped about. But, then it is not wise to be too nice because people will take advantage and expect favors.

I am the entrepreneur kind of person who really does like people, but the group dynamics are not my favorite. It is reminiscent of middle school days when I was trying to find my place somewhere in between the super popular girls and the nerds. I had friends in both groups but did not quite fit anywhere.

I don’t know if it is because I spent 5 years working for myself or if kids are just cooler people. I really enjoy seeing their personalities develop and kids can be very funny and interesting. It also helps because I have a kid and I get paid to go places and do fun things with my kids and tow. But I have noticed when I have a day out with the kids that I have spent most of the time laughing and cutting up with them, but when I worked with “grown ups”, my days were not full of joy by any measure.

I know that my jobs are not professional or serious, but happiness is more important than that to me. My retirement is not where I want it to be, but I look and feel young because I do not have a stressful job. I am trying to pay my bills so that I can add more to my financial future instead of monthly balances, but even when I have made more money I have not been happy in jobs. It is probably because I have never really done what I loved until now.

Though I am still trying to find more work that is suited to my education and that can better support us, I will relish in the fun days that I am having now. I get to stay and watch my kid grow up, and play a part character development of other kids’. In the end, it is a win/win situation. When I look back 40 years from now, I can say that I have no regrets. I can honestly say that I really enjoyed raising my child and the work that I did. Not many people can say that…

So, what is it about theatre and tears, for me at least?

Posted on by
Reply

My kiddo has been in productions since Christmas, and I have seen an additional one as of yesterday and every time-tears!!! All of the plays have been so different, one that was sad about immigrating to America, but had tons of funny moments. One classic Broadway play, then Hairspray, and the one I saw yesterday-“Into the Heights”.

I will have to admit that I wasn’t interested in the subject matter of “Into the Heights”. I am more into classical theatre or big dance numbers, not as into modern American drama. I am a traditionalist I guess you would say. I also have been sick for almost 2 weeks, and felt that I really needed to go to support a church member’s son who is a main character.

So, after the first 30 minutes, I wasn’t fully connected to the characters, but I liked it. Everyone could sing really well. Everyone could dance too, really well. About 15 minutes before the end of the 1st act, I connected with a scene. Then, I found myself crying. I am the same person that cries at Hallmark commercials. I can cry watching the Peanuts.

I am a very sensitive person, but I don’t show it a lot anymore because of past hurts. I really do have a soft heart and I am a super hopeless romantic. I think that the guy who finds me will have to be a special man, because I am a very tender and loving gal. But on the other hand, whomever finds me will have to be special themselves, because I am a lot to handle sometimes:).

Anyway, if you have not been to live theatre lately, I encourage you to support it. This show was at a pretty prestigious theatre, so tickets started at 30.00. But good acting does not always have to come at a hefty price. I have been to 15 dollar theatre that rivaled what I saw yesterday that was held at lesser venues. My whole point is, that these people are really offering a service. They are entertaining us in person and opening our hearts and minds in the process (hopefully) in a way that movies can’t quite do.

Now I am a real movie buff. But to be in the room with these characters, live and in person is amazing. It is magic actually. Someone up there on the stage, typically not paid, spilling out their raw emotions and we get to engage with them even if just through tears or applause. I am so glad to be a part of the acting world (through my kiddo) because we have met so many great people! They all have these things in common: They are intelligent, talented, individuals and they are passionate folks who work so hard at their craft. I feel that people on the local level give so much and sometimes feel so little recognition.

If you haven’t been in awhile, look around your community. Check out a play that will interest you. Skip movie night, just once and see it for yourself. You will bless many people in the process, including yourself.

Simply~

Dee

So, I love the bloggers on WP!

Posted on by
1

I  have really, really enjoyed getting to know some of the bloggers on WordPress and I have learned so much already.  What I love about bloggers in general is that they are so creative in how they express themselves. I also love the opinions and advice that is freely given by other writers.

It has been a joy and a pleasure to be a part of virtual strangers lives just by reading their musings. It’s like every time I look around, I am at a cocktail party of sorts with interesting conversation and I don’t even have to dress up! I feel honored to be able to read and understand what other people are feeling or how they perceive issues.

What I find most interesting,  is that I feel like from these gifted writers, comes such honesty and truth that is hard to find elsewhere.  I don’t think my own friends would be as open and forthcoming with me about how they feel about me, or my opinions. And I really like the raw truth,  it is rare.

There is a kinship among bloggers that is kind of cool and though I am not a veteran blogger with tons of followers, it feels amazing to call myself a blogger too. I don’t know if meeting some of these people would ever happen, or how different relationships would be if we did. But for now, I am happy to have these open, insightful and mysterious relationships with some of the brightest people I have ever come across. If you are reading this, then I am probably talking about you!

Simply~

Dee

So, are you ashamed to say God is Real???

Posted on by
4

I liked a comment that someone on my Facebook said about God. It was one of those deals where if you comment or like, then you get a message telling you what to post for 7 days. Then you message those people to do the same. It is basically to have positive words of Christianity on Facebook so that it would spread to others.

So, I complied. I will not lie, for a split second I wondered what people will think. I know there are some people on my page who aren’t religious, or who may think it is weird. But why should I worry if this offends them? Aren’t we a nation of offended wimps? Don’t you get sick and tired of someone complaining about a comment upset them, but they can rip into an opposing belief system or viewpoint with the quickness.

Anyway, I challenge you to be bold in your faith. Or in your political stance. Or in your decisions, everyone else be damned. Because so many times, we are worried about losing friends or likes or admiration that we aren’t true to ourselves. I don’t mean to bully people with words or convictions, but instead, be willing to speak up for your principles.  If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for…

Simply~

Dee

So, visiting family down south a few weeks ago made me realize…

Posted on by
Reply

I am such a pampered princess! I’m not totally, because I only do like 2 pedicures a year and rarely shop for myself anymore, but the lifestyle I have gotten accustomed to in the uppity DC area is so different from growing up in the “Durty Durty” (south to those of you not down with the lingo). I was appalled by things that sound so snotty and ridiculous and people noticed:):(.

So, my mom tried so hard to buy my kale and kosher meat and other organic meats and food, but her town frankly doesn’t have much health food, hence the problem with high bp and heart problems in the south. So, she found kale, but it was in this big bunch and I am used to going to Wegman’s and getting it cleaned and washed and chopped and bagged. So apparently I made a deal about this. I wasn’t rude, but I just couldn’t believe that I had to clean my own kale. (Man I must have sounded like a brat) Then I made a comment to my cousin that I could not believe my mom bought me a whole chicken because I only eat boneless skinless chicken breasts.

I really wasn’t trying to be a snob. I brought some of my own healthy veggies to share with the family and everything. I guess that living in an area of excess where everyone is so busy, that people here will pay for everything to be done by someone else, which includes chopping and washing our veggies, darnit!:)

When we got home, my daughter called me a diva. That is funny, because people used to call me that like 15 years ago, but my daughter has never called me that, not that it was a big deal. I said, “why are you calling me that?” She said: “our cousin said you were one and then started laughing.” So, at least when my cousin said it, she was joking about it. But as we all know, when people joke there is often truth behind it.

I guess I am a different person than I was when I lived in the A. I eat healthier, I am more cultured, I care about different things, and I have gotten a little spoiled. I mean, I don’t have a lot of cash flow as I have mentioned before, but I still live a pretty high quality life and always manage to earn money to pay “the man”. But, I never honestly fit in where I grew up in a small town a couple of hours from the A. So, diva is not a new term, but I guess since I rough it now by shopping at Target for my clothes and I because I rarely treat myself besides Starbucks, I assumed that I was far from my former diva status.

Well, it doesn’t take but a few minutes back around people who watched someone grow up, to be called out on one’s crap! I can tell you though, as much as I enjoyed seeing loving faces, I don’t think I could go back without being extremely hesitant to do so. I love the plethora of activities in DC and surrounding suburbs. I love that there are more farmer’s market here per capita than anywhere else. I like how health-conscious people are.

What I miss about the south: genuine people, friendly people and a real sense of culture associated with being a southerner. A sort of pride that comes with being a native sweet tea drinker and peach ice cream eater. Not the confederate, racist deal. Just the accent, nice outfits, and scrumptious (though fattening food). DC and the whole area as a whole lacks that charm and personality.

So, it’s either coconut milk latte and clean eating, or twice the daily amount of sugar consumed and everything fried. I think I will continue dwelling in my clean eating and bike riding habitat, but I will reminisce about days of running through sprinklers and drinking out of water hoses and waving at everyone who rode down the street. Not to mention, watermelon under the weeping willows, with salt on top. Those days are long gone, and I miss them at times and wish my kid could know that more simple life.  If only I could have a bit of both, if only…

So, August holds new challenges for me…

Posted on by
Reply

I started on August 1st in a “secret” group on Facebook, 30 days 30 walks/runs starting August 1st. I also started a meet your goals challenge on Instagram that started the beginning of August. One of things that I wanted to do was take time to write more. I have not been doing as much as I have wanted since I started because I have been fighting these crazy allergies. But, I am glad that I have these plans to motivate me.

It is funny, the internet giveth, but it sure as heck taketh away at the same time. I love the cool party ideas we get online, the motivational aspects, and the connection with new friends that I would never know otherwise. But, with so many negative people like internet trolls, and people that have blogs dedicated to tearing celebrities down or people in general it gets to be a bit much.

I really try to focus on what it offers that will make my life richer and fuller. I love blogging and have tried it many times over the last 10 years. I am proud to say that I have written in this one a lot more than I have in others, but not as much as I would like. But with this IG challenge, it makes me feel more accountable. The same with exercise. I have exercised a lot more because I am being “judged” or noticed by 1000 other people and I want to finish it completely because my friend invited me to do it.

I also want to challenge myself as I did at the beginning of the year to more prayer and devotional time. That is more important than of the other challenges, but I feel I need to dig in more with it because I know that getting closer to God can help me in every area of my life. If I want to live a life that is beyond my dreams, taking the time to reach out to my Heavenly Father is definitely a step that I need to take.I want to take the step to have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as receive my heart’s desires.

What challenges are you facing? Either self-imposed, or involuntary? Maybe if you let people know what you are going through, or connect with others with similar goals/issues/problems, then whatever you are facing will be easier to surpass or overcome.

Have a blessed night!

Simply~
Dee