{a hidden character flaw}

or, at least I try my best to keep it hidden.

 

Competitiveness.

 

And, we're not talking about the good kind of competitiveness.

 

But, the ugly and all-consuming.

 

This post is about Martha Stewart organizing gone mad. 

 

That going mad would be me.

 

I have been taking a great little class online re: the

business side of photography. AFTER signing up and paying

 my hefty little fee, I learned that it wouldn't be the

typical read and complete assignments only, but, she 

included a team

competition with quite the lovely prize.

 

That is when my madness ensued.  And, as

teams were dropping like flies, we were sailing on.

I would work like crazy meeting all of my assignments.

I actually topped out on all of the scores within my

group every single week and we were neck and

neck for first position overall.

 

The class has covered so much and has honestly been

great!  Just give me a camera and I'm as happy

as can be - the business side, I slack.   I think

it's that right brain v. left brain problem.

 

And, it's a problem.

 

We have touched on defining our photography niche,

learning to say NO, {ha!}, accurately figuring out

how many sessions we should book,  delegating,

staying on top of everything, etc, etc, etc and most of all...LIVING. 

 

This class has had me visiting this little section at

Staples quite often. I seriously

pretty much swoom

every time I'm there.

 

 I was DETERMINED to

score the highest in this little assignment.

 

I was a kid in a candy store.

{except for the candy as I am low-carbing it.

this week}

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of pretties that work quite well too.

 

AND, WHAT HAPPENS in the 5th week of

the competition I mean class??  Well, I got

the flu BUT I had actually completed most

of my assignments before then.   The night

the homework was due I was zipping right along

and realized something was very wrong.

My computer would NOT resize the pictures

I was required to load.  Thus, they would not load. 

 

The entire assignment rested on that.

No matter what I did, it didn't work.  So,

to save my team, I had to pull out.

 

In the whole scheme of things, it wasn't a big

deal.  BUT, I had worked so hard and put

so much thought into each and every assignment. 

 

And, poof!  I was out. 

 

I am quite CERTAIN there is a lesson to be

learned in the midst of this, but, I'm still

feeling sorry for myself at the moment. 

 

So, winner or no winner.

 

My office is quite organized and funcitonal.

 

Which, I guess makes me a winner, huh? 

{my a-ha}

moment.

 

I remember why I made the big career change.

And, any doubts have now been cleared up.

 

So, there is a definite positive in this frantic pace I

am working in trying to get this project wrapped up.

A gentle reminder that I made the right decision.

 

And, as overwhelmed as I feel at the moment with mounds

of medical records staring back at me -

knowing I have another very long night ahead of me....

it feels good to know that I am wrapping up something I agreed to

 {although I had no clue it would have to be NOW, nor did they}

and that it is and ending.    Very soon. 

{duck tape}

over the mouth.

 

I reallllllllllllllly try hard not to complain, but

sometimes I feel as though that is.all.I.do.

 

This past week has been rough around these parts.

Well, actually it goes back to November, but, who

is keeping up?  Apparently me, myself and I.

 

 

THIS WEEK.....

 

 I'm trying not to be sad that Noah had a flop

of a birthday because his mama was literally on

another planet due to lack of an adequate oxygen exchange. 

My kiddos ate way too many bowls of cold cereal and 

peanut butter sandwiches.  Laundry almost made its

all time record.  You know.

The one in which it actually touches the ceiling. 

Yea.  That ugly record.  Boo.   And, I'm certain

 it would have if it hadn't been for the the  flood in

recent months thanks to yours truly.   Birthday party

post phoned and you know how that usually goes. :(

A house that has imploded.  LITERALLY.

Work that is oh, so behind, to the point I am afraid

to look at my messages.  And, just when I was gaining ground.

That one makes me want to cry.  Big, ugly tears.

I'm certain I have late bills.  THANK.GOD. I paid the water

bill on Wednesday before the snow hit hard.  Let's forget

the fact I had already made it home and remembered that

once again I forgotten it; so that

led to trip number 2 to Greenwood all before

9:30 am.  I am not a good reader of the

water meter girl.  Period.  I fail.   

I received a phone call from the law firm that

yesterday afternoon that led to a very late night

and fruitless search on 3 computers for a second half

of a report.  A report that is no where to be found.

But, it still has to be completed. Like TODAY. 

My stomach hurts.  Literally.

 

It just all makes me sad but I know that

it is nothing in the big scheme of things.  Nothing

tragic.  Nothing life altering.   Nothing that

can't be smoothed out and put back on track.

 

I just need to breath deeply and start working

my way through it one little bit at a time -

otherwise it tends to get quite overwhelming. 

 

I'm thinking that after I get caught up that

the little get away I've been toying with back and

forth back and forth - may completely happen. 

 

For the sake of my sanity.

:)

{laid back}

or out, I'm not quite sure.

I have been sick for a few days and 

that likely peaked last night.  Or, at least I pray that was

the peak.  But, instead of trying to work like

I did yesterday,  I am literally taking it easy today.

Minus three blankets I had last night.  

Today, I'm  down to only

 one quilt {from my precious mamma - it has

always been my comfort quilt.  that could be 

a post all of its own - in vitro days, many sick days,

surgeries, babies, etc, etc, etc}

But, today, I've drank lots of fluids, stayed

bundled up in this freak thunderous snow and 

ice storm,  taken my Motrin every single time 

it is due and read a lot.  The reading has been 

the only blessing in disguise with this. 

Just finished the Jeremy Camp book.

I cried all the way through.  So many things

I needed to read and so many things I related to.

His childhood literally mirrored mine.  Now

if my "walk" could mirror his.  

Pretty amazing especially since I was

able to take the boys a couple years ago

and hear his amazing testimony.   

Now to the next one in my stack.

And, a reminder that I need to make

more time for this - to make a more

concerted effort in being "still" instead of

the forced- mode only. 

{strange....I loved it}

that "it" involved a target with a bulls eye.

And, a Saturday afternoon with my brothers.

{and, of course my SIL + B}

I ran out of ammo,  but am restocked.

Shocking isn't it??

But, I am happy to report I bought cute

accessories.  Hot pink ear muffs and safety

glasses.  My brother will be even more 

impressed when I add those to the outfit

I wore.   And, he's not easily impressed. :)

Total sarcasm.  {wink!} 

{check}

my Christmas tree is officially down. 

 

Well, not technically "down" but ornaments are

boxed.  Not yet put away, but lining my foyer

{which I will not admit is driving me berserk}

to be put away.

 

The tree is naked.

 

Still standing in my living room.

 

But, de-robed.

 

And, it's a mere February 3rd.

 

P.I.T.I.F.U.L.  

 

Bring on Valentine's Day!