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How Google Docs Cleaned my Dining Room Table

Posted on March 15, 2013 by admin

As you know, I’m a crazy list-maker. This is not limited to To-Do Lists. There is also the “Thank You for the Christmas Gifts” list (ah-hem, it’s MARCH), “Talk to General Contractors About This” list, “Potty Training for Dummy Parents” list…it goes on. My other problem is that these lists are written on dozens of scraps of paper and scattered around my dining room table. “Hey, Smarty, why don’t you keep it in a notebook like a normal human being?” Yeah, well, nobody’s perfect.

Well, it JUST occurred to me that I can transcribe these into Google docs. I won’t lose them. They won’t turn into soggy coasters. I will be able to eat at the table again. (Goodbye coffee table picnics!)

So thanks, Google Docs. You cleaned my dining room table. When is Google Sewing coming out? I could use a digital sewing machine.

All Supermoms Cheat

Posted on March 7, 2013 by admin

I am staring down a chillingly long to-do list tonight and on it: “Bake cookies for Teacher Appreciation Day” at my daughter’s daycare. Oh HELL no.

Here’s the thing. I LOVE her teachers. They’re amazing. They go far beyond what I could do as a parent, and I am so grateful. But do you think they’ll understand that less if it’s not home-baked chocolate chip cookies I bring to their break room? No. So, I’m going to do what any true Supermom would do in this type of situation. I’m gonna cheat. I’m {gasp} buying cookies. Tomorrow morning. On the way to school. Like, not even ahead of time.

Believe it or not, this is a total Supermom move, and I’m not ashamed. Kittens will be rescued, fires will be put out, and I will still appropriately show my gratitude to people I appreciate. The time savings will be enough to allow me to press my cape and polish my belt. And tackle that massive pile of laundry tonight. To the Grocery Store…and Beyond!

Flying Solo

Posted on March 6, 2013 by admin

As a wife with a husband who occasionally travels for work, I am prone to put a lot of pressure on myself to take on the role of both parents while he’s gone. So instead of wallowing in the failure to put away clean laundry or wash all the dishes, I’m going to share this week’s successes with you all:

1. I took out the trash
This is a BIG DEAL. For whatever reason, I hate this chore. Maybe it’s putting on mismatched slip-on shoes to trudge through the cold dark alley, maybe it’s the smell, I don’t know. I hate it, but I did it.

2. I fixed the garbage disposal
This is less of a big deal. I’m a pretty handy lady, but I occasionally have vivid horror-movie visions of my arm getting chewed up by demonic blades. Turns out, a toddler-sized fork was crammed in there. Sorry, kiddo.

Continue reading “Flying Solo” →

Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge: Redux

Posted on February 1, 2013 by admin

I know I was posting a lot about candy and whatnot, but I’m stoked to share that the Maintain Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge did its job for me—I lost 3.5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years! If you’re looking for motivation next year, I’ll hopefully be running it again. A couple of things I learned through the process:

: 4 tips to stay on track

Stay on track with weight loss — 4 tips to stay on track

Continue reading “Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge: Redux” →

Gingerbread House Party Guide

Posted on December 23, 2012 by admin

It’s sadly belated, but I’m finally posting my guide to hosting a successful gingerbread house party for grownups.

As I mentioned in this post, I revived my mother’s holiday tradition of hosting gingerbread house decorating parties for me and my friends by creating a grownups-only version 5 years ago. I don’t know if it’s the nostalgia, the tradition, or the few uninterrupted hours of just-for-fun crafting and hanging out with friends that makes it something I look forward to every year.

2008 Gingerbread houses — First party: A friend and I pre-made all 16 houses and guests decorated. I’m never doing that again.

There’s quite a bit of prep, however, so I figured I’d share my tips and tricks with you in case YOU lovely readers decide to someday host your own version of this party. Now that I have 5 parties under my belt, I’ve got it down to a pretty efficient science. Continue reading “Gingerbread House Party Guide” →

Transcontinental Toddling

Posted on December 10, 2012 by admin

This weekend, I took my 19-month daughter from Seattle to New York. Alone. In my lap.

I had my hesitations about taking the unnecessary adventure, but it paid off. I got to see some great old friends, introduce my daughter to their children, and see a little of the Big Apple during Christmastime. All around win. Here are the packing tips that helped us survive a redeye back East, and a 6.5 hour flight west. With a lap toddler.

Carry-on luggage — With only carry-on luggage, efficiency was key

Continue reading “Transcontinental Toddling” →

Gingerbread House Party Inspiration

Posted on November 29, 2012 by admin

A fond memory of my childhood is the annual gingerbread house decorating parties my mom would throw for me and my closest friends. We’d each get a preconstructed graham cracker house, some frosting, and bowls full of candy for decorations (and snacking.) It was fun to be creative, spend time with friends, and have a festive masterpiece to enjoy for the rest of the season!
5 years ago, I decided to revive the tradition with my grownup friends. Instead of sodas we drink bubbly and the themes range from political to whimsical. But before I share my Gingerbread House Decorating Party Guide, I’ll share some inspiration from Seattle’s Gingerbread Village.

I’ve never seen jelly beans, ice cream cones, licorice, and mini Hershey bars make such a lovely castle.

Continue reading “Gingerbread House Party Inspiration” →

Hell-iday Shopping

Posted on November 26, 2012 by admin

I have to say it. I hate holiday shopping. I don’t get giddy over 5am freebies or salivate at the thought of finding the perfect parking spot. However, I do love a bargain. And I think I’ve cracked the code for surviving the absolute hell that is post-Thanksgiving-weekend Christmas shopping.

Continue reading “Hell-iday Shopping” →

Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge 2012

Posted on November 21, 2012 by admin

In case you haven’t noticed, the holidays are HERE. So are the cookies, candy, cheeses, gingerbread lattes, overflowing buffets, and festive cocktails. I struggle with overindulgence during the holidays and have found it necessary to set boundaries and rules for myself to stay healthy. You may have heard that the average American gains 4-12 pounds in the 6 weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s.

Holiday food — It’s easy to see why we pack on the pounds!

Full disclosure: one year, I gained fourteen pounds in twelve days. THAT’S ONE-FOUR. As in, I averaged an intake in excess of 3500 calories above my normal intake Every. Single. Day. Enter the Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge.

You can do this with friends, coworkers, family, or just yourself. It’s simple, but not necessarily easy.

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Maintain Don't Gain Full Version — Click to access the full pdf version

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Maintain Don't Gain Holiday Weight Challenge — Click to access the simple pdf version

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Continue reading “Maintain, Don’t Gain Holiday Challenge 2012” →

Getting Off-Kilter to Achieve Work-Life Balance

Posted on October 12, 2012 by admin

This morning I attended a talk by Nate Manny, presented by Creative Mornings Seattle. I had no expectations except that I’d hear a successful, talented designer talk about life, design, which could spark some creative/entrepreneurial inspiration in me. Well, it did more than that. It kind of capsized my perception of career success and achieving work-life balance.

A little bit about the chat (from the event site):

“…Learn about always being mindful and present in one’s life as a creative professional and examining the significance of one’s everyday patterns.”

What I loved about the presentation is that he has taken a nontraditional route to get to where he is (artist > rock star (literally) > designer), yet he still is constantly conflicted by where he is and where he wants to be. It was a lightning bolt moment for me to hear that, since I figured reaching that upper-echelon in the design world automatically created complete life satisfaction. I’m constantly questioning my career choice: if I’m doing enough, if I’m doing too much and pulling away from the things in life that I really love. Am I successful enough? Am I wasting my time? Should I spend more time with my daughter? My husband?

There were several takeaways from the chat that warmed my heart and got my creative gears rolling:

Complacency leads to Boredom leads to Atrophy
The constant questioning of yourself, your career, and your life, is necessary to keep from withering in any of those areas.
Taking Time to do What Fuels Me leads to Inspiration leads to Tackling the Next Thing
Going to a museum or going on a bike ride isn’t a waste. Whatever gets your juices going can be the thing to get you to where you want to be.
Evaluate What You Love then Balance Work with Life
I made a little graphic to demonstrate the process.

Thanks to Nate Manny for the inspiration.

If you’re working all the time and don’t have the opportunity to enjoy the spoils of your effort, maybe you should cut back on some of the hobbies and extras and work less to fund the ones worth keeping. It was a new way for me to think about things, and I hope you find it useful too.

What resources or methods have you found helpful in achieving career satisfaction and work-life balance?