Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I Have a Voice
I learned a long time ago that there are many choices that must be tackled every day. Some of them come naturally, for example how much creamer to put in the coffee cup. Personally I like coffee with my cream and sugar, not the other way around. Every day. Many decisions. Over. And over. And over. And over. It is exhausting. It is hard for me to relax. My mind is always going a 100 miles a minute. If I sit down "to relax" I feel guilty and think I should be doing something productive with my time. At what point in my life did I "unlearn" relaxing? My daugher, Melanie, is 3 years old. True to form she is a busy body. Literally. Spring is here and she enjoys being outside as much as I do. Melanie enjoys discovering and doing. She helps me relax in a busy-body kind of way. I love her dearly. My husband, Matt, is the king of relaxing. He becomes a busy-body when I am not here or unable to help. He is a rock. Seeing Melanie and him together is amazing. I have worked hard at jobs since I was 14 years old. I've been saving for retirment since I was 20 years old. I am an old soul in a 37 year old body. I am a loyal, hard-working, intelligent, emphathetic, sincere, and giggly co-worker. I sincerely care about what I do for a living and the people that give as much as I do to making the world a better place. Each step in my career is meant to better myself, challenge myself, and force myself beyond what I think I can do. When I have tried to slow down and create a world for me to relax in, it doesn't work. Everthing backfires. I need to be constantly busy to relax. That is relaxing for me. It is harder and not for everyone. I am honest enough with myself to realize that is what I need. I do have a voice in my future.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Final Countdown
I am currently in the final countdown of my current job (and yes... it is a reference to that great hair-band song). (enter song here... ha ha)
On Jan. 28th I will say goodbye to the Monday through Friday, daylight hours job and the people I've worked with for seven years. I am starting a different job for one of the hospitals we currently do work for. I am excited about the possibilities. I am sad to say goodbye to some pretty amazing people. It is bittersweet.
My schedule (after the 2nd week) will be a rotating night-shift. That is something different that I am willing to take the challenge on. Wish me luck!
On Jan. 28th I will say goodbye to the Monday through Friday, daylight hours job and the people I've worked with for seven years. I am starting a different job for one of the hospitals we currently do work for. I am excited about the possibilities. I am sad to say goodbye to some pretty amazing people. It is bittersweet.
My schedule (after the 2nd week) will be a rotating night-shift. That is something different that I am willing to take the challenge on. Wish me luck!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Melanie
It has come to my attention that I have failed to put a picture of my daughter on my blog. Here is Melanie Rose Jones. She is beautiful in so many ways. I pray that as she grows up she is confident, humble, loving, and stays true to herself. Here is my amazing girl... I am so blessed to have her.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Beautiful
To all the women I know:
You are beautiful. Remember that God made YOU the perfect shade of beautiful.
Sincerely,
Marla
You are beautiful. Remember that God made YOU the perfect shade of beautiful.
Sincerely,
Marla
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I have SUCCUMBED!
I have been the person who subscribes to the opinion that my daughter does not need a DVD player in our vehicles. It helps that our vehicles do not warrant them -- we have a Ford Focus hatchback and a Volvo stationwagon. There is no good place to set one down or strap one to. My daughter is 3. She has taken many 4 hour car rides without it. She has even done trips between 8 and 10 hours without watching a movie. I keep telling myself that I never needed one growing up so why should I even bother having a vehicle that flips a screen down from the roof like you're needing to lay down and view the ceiling like you would at a planetarium?
All of that changed for me a couple weekends ago. I headed on a 4 hour trip with Melanie to see my family, just the two of us. This car ride took 5 hours. I have never had to make this trip in 5 hours. In fact, saying it takes 4 hours normally is slightly exaggerating because it is normally a little less than that.
During that trip I realized when your child is sitting directly behind you, needs something, and you're going down the highway 5 over the speed limit, your skills as a mother are limited. Granted, we had to stop a couple extra times for potty-breaks. Melanie is potty-trained and doesn't like to have an accident. Fair enough, I'll make stops for that.
There were stops for other reasons, though. One time we had to pull off the road so I could help her take off her light jacket. It was too itchy.
Another time I had to stop twice in a two-mile stretch for something that I cannot remember why anymore.
My daughter normally entertains herself quite nicely. But... this trip not so much. I am sure that I jinxed our trip because Melanie knew her entire stash of movies (about 12 DVDs) was in the back of my station wagon for viewing at Grandpa and Grandma's house.
So.... I get to my parent's house and realize I cannot experience another trip like that ever again. I re-read my summary of the trip and it doesn't sound so bad. Trust me... it was. I even called my husband afterwards saying I can't go through that again.
It struck me as to why so many parents have that van or SUV with the DVD player in it for their toddlers. It isn't because kids aren't smart enough to entertain themselves. It is because they can't do it the way we used to.
Our generation had free reign of the vehicle. No seatbelts. Stationwagons with 3rd-seat, rear-facing seats that allowed you to make faces at the people in the cars behind you. The enjoyment of diving from the middle seat to the back seat. Getting into "she/he is touching me" fights. My daughter will not know that until she is older.
Right now, she has to experience the 5-point harness hell of a full-sized car seat. Her entire body is strapped in, limited in movement, and I know she cannot lay her head comfortably.
I have succumbed. I'm going to get that portable DVD player. And I'm going to love it.
All of that changed for me a couple weekends ago. I headed on a 4 hour trip with Melanie to see my family, just the two of us. This car ride took 5 hours. I have never had to make this trip in 5 hours. In fact, saying it takes 4 hours normally is slightly exaggerating because it is normally a little less than that.
During that trip I realized when your child is sitting directly behind you, needs something, and you're going down the highway 5 over the speed limit, your skills as a mother are limited. Granted, we had to stop a couple extra times for potty-breaks. Melanie is potty-trained and doesn't like to have an accident. Fair enough, I'll make stops for that.
There were stops for other reasons, though. One time we had to pull off the road so I could help her take off her light jacket. It was too itchy.
Another time I had to stop twice in a two-mile stretch for something that I cannot remember why anymore.
My daughter normally entertains herself quite nicely. But... this trip not so much. I am sure that I jinxed our trip because Melanie knew her entire stash of movies (about 12 DVDs) was in the back of my station wagon for viewing at Grandpa and Grandma's house.
So.... I get to my parent's house and realize I cannot experience another trip like that ever again. I re-read my summary of the trip and it doesn't sound so bad. Trust me... it was. I even called my husband afterwards saying I can't go through that again.
It struck me as to why so many parents have that van or SUV with the DVD player in it for their toddlers. It isn't because kids aren't smart enough to entertain themselves. It is because they can't do it the way we used to.
Our generation had free reign of the vehicle. No seatbelts. Stationwagons with 3rd-seat, rear-facing seats that allowed you to make faces at the people in the cars behind you. The enjoyment of diving from the middle seat to the back seat. Getting into "she/he is touching me" fights. My daughter will not know that until she is older.
Right now, she has to experience the 5-point harness hell of a full-sized car seat. Her entire body is strapped in, limited in movement, and I know she cannot lay her head comfortably.
I have succumbed. I'm going to get that portable DVD player. And I'm going to love it.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Booth vs Table; America vs Ireland
On a recent trip to my local bagel/coffee joint I witnessed the most amazing exchange between an older, retired married couple. Their order was placed, they received their pager to be notified of their order, and they were browsing the seating options. The man promptly said "All the booths are taken I do not know where we are going to sit!".
Let's interject some facts here. It's a Panera. There are a ton of tables, booths, and cubby-areas to sit in. Usually, there are more open tables than open booths. The tables are no less clean, they are not in a bad location, do not cram you up into a certain distance from the table, and in my opinion, are easier to go to the bathroom from when there are 3 or more people sitting together.
Okay, now back to my story.
The wife replied, "Let's walk through one more time, maybe someone is getting ready to leave." Seriously? I can easily count 12 to 14 open tables... and they are looking for a place to sit? Wow.
This small experience of life brought to my memory a trip to Ireland my husband and I took almost 4 years ago. That trip was and still is the only time I have been outside of the United States and/or Canada. It is also the only trip I have ever taken where I did NOT bring work with me in some shape or form.
One of the most enjoyable parts of that trip was how people would sit in the restaurants. The whole experience was amazing to me. Tables are closer together than in American restaurants. People actually sit after a meal and talk... actually talk to each other. Sometimes, they engage in conversations with people in the table next to them. Let me reiterate that I said TABLES. Booths were available, but were definitely not the majority of the seating options. After eating the enjoyment of ordering some hot tea and just hanging out for another 20 to 30 minutes of relaxation.
It was heaven to me. But, back to my story.... The couple fumbled around the restaurant and ending up waiting on a booth to vacata. Again... wow.
Let's interject some facts here. It's a Panera. There are a ton of tables, booths, and cubby-areas to sit in. Usually, there are more open tables than open booths. The tables are no less clean, they are not in a bad location, do not cram you up into a certain distance from the table, and in my opinion, are easier to go to the bathroom from when there are 3 or more people sitting together.
Okay, now back to my story.
The wife replied, "Let's walk through one more time, maybe someone is getting ready to leave." Seriously? I can easily count 12 to 14 open tables... and they are looking for a place to sit? Wow.
This small experience of life brought to my memory a trip to Ireland my husband and I took almost 4 years ago. That trip was and still is the only time I have been outside of the United States and/or Canada. It is also the only trip I have ever taken where I did NOT bring work with me in some shape or form.
One of the most enjoyable parts of that trip was how people would sit in the restaurants. The whole experience was amazing to me. Tables are closer together than in American restaurants. People actually sit after a meal and talk... actually talk to each other. Sometimes, they engage in conversations with people in the table next to them. Let me reiterate that I said TABLES. Booths were available, but were definitely not the majority of the seating options. After eating the enjoyment of ordering some hot tea and just hanging out for another 20 to 30 minutes of relaxation.
It was heaven to me. But, back to my story.... The couple fumbled around the restaurant and ending up waiting on a booth to vacata. Again... wow.
In our lives here in America we are pretty stiff when it comes to eating out at restaurants. If we don't have "just the right booth" we get irritable. I enjoy conversation when I'm eating. Sit me down with someone who has a good story to tell, pour me some hot tea with cream, and let me get to know you. If you're sitting at the table next to me, even better.
We all need to remember that in this age of technology, the subtle joy of getting to know people and doing good things for people seems to be lost. Let's enjoy life and grab those table seats!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Toddler Toes
Children's feet amaze me. My daughter, at the ripe old age of 2 years, has feet that never fail to make me smile. Children do not care what their feet look like, how dirty they are, or if the toenails are painted. In fact, I have clear memories of when I was little and not caring if my feet were dirty or not.
Ever since my daughter was born I would kiss her feet while changing her diaper, after a bath, when she woke up/went to bed, and just to make her smile. What is it about feet that we loose sight of as we grow older? We become more aware of all the "things" we step in, so we're less likely to want to touch someone else's feet. They seem to get "uglier" with age. When it comes small children, their feet are always adorable.
On a trip up north one weekend I captured a picture of Melanie's feet while she was sleeping in the car seat. That picture alone captures so many emotions for me. The crossing of her feet at the ankles to rest on one another; dependence. The curvature of her toes as she wiggles them during her sleep; endless energy. Yes, I would have to say that her toddler toes are an amazing summary of what makes children so enduring... the innocence of something real that will be tainted later with age. Until that occurrs, her toes and feet will be kissed.
Ever since my daughter was born I would kiss her feet while changing her diaper, after a bath, when she woke up/went to bed, and just to make her smile. What is it about feet that we loose sight of as we grow older? We become more aware of all the "things" we step in, so we're less likely to want to touch someone else's feet. They seem to get "uglier" with age. When it comes small children, their feet are always adorable.
On a trip up north one weekend I captured a picture of Melanie's feet while she was sleeping in the car seat. That picture alone captures so many emotions for me. The crossing of her feet at the ankles to rest on one another; dependence. The curvature of her toes as she wiggles them during her sleep; endless energy. Yes, I would have to say that her toddler toes are an amazing summary of what makes children so enduring... the innocence of something real that will be tainted later with age. Until that occurrs, her toes and feet will be kissed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
