Miscellaneous Monday

Monday, February 18, 2013

GPS? What GPS?

This week I'm in our company's headquarters location in Virginia attending a conference and working face-to-face with my team on some upcoming projects. I haven't been here since July, and if you'll recall, the last time I was here I set a new standard in poor land navigation. Because I'M AWESOME THAT WAY. I'm really, really hoping that this time I can find the building where I'm supposed to be without having to call out a Search and Rescue party due to my inability to find my way out of a paper bag. Perhaps I should leave the hotel early, say by 4 a.m.

A Bittersweet Season

Seems like the Smart Man and I have been going to a lot of funerals and such here lately. Most of that is simply due to our age - the generations that have come before are getting up there in years, and the natural order of things dictates that we will be spending time celebrating their lives as they leave us to take up their place. While I think we've been fairly successful in dealing with these issues with some measure of grace, it's still a bittersweet place to be in our lives, and sometimes peace eludes me.

Alone Again, Naturally

I'm currently on week three of a five week travel schedule, and the reroute to Ohio for the family funeral means that by the time February wraps up I will have spent only seven nights in my own bed this month. I'm trying hard not to get too wrapped about this - it can't be helped, and there's no doubt that I'm doing the right thing both personally and professionally by being away from home as I have in February. But I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I miss my family and that I find myself feeling lonely.

Which is why today's positivity is the wonder that is the Internet, which has allowed me to make friends all over the country. Yesterday my good friend NeuronDoc and her fabulous family picked me up at the airport and we had a good visit and a meal before they dropped me off at my hotel. Having the opportunity to visit with various members of the UCF as well as my more "traditional" friends and family makes the demands of my professional life more bearable, and for that I'm grateful.

8 comments:

Stacey said...

I know how hard this month has been. Kudos for not running screaming into the abyss.

I take comfort in knowing that Skype, FaceTime and Google+ Hangout exist to help me keep in contact with my friends.

Today's positive - I connected my personal printer to the work computer and was able to scan and print. Go Me.

Anne C. said...

Thank you, Natalie, for taking good care of our friend!

And hugs to you, Stacey. We miss you!

Janiece said...

Go, you, indeed!

Matt said...

I'm with ya Sistah! Life does have a way of testing our resolve, and yours seems to be holding firm, so go you! Keep in mind, my phone, email account and skype handle are yours to use whenever you want!

I'll share my positivity as well: Today, I left my reading glasses at home (rendering me helpless in class) and was greeted by a pop quiz . . . which I then aced so screw you, Monday!

Take care hon! XO

Tom said...

My challenge for today was trying to get some Advil out of a travel size container. A simple little tube thingy. It just wasn't opening. There was some writing embossed on the top, but without reading glasses (hi Matt) I just couldn't read it. I puzzled part of it out. "Push" I did, and it opened.

I think I need a child around to help me with these adult-proof caps.

Carol Elaine said...

Dear NeuronDoc,

You are awesome. Thank you for taking care of the equally awesome Janiece.

Sincerely,
The UCF

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Janiece,

You're an amazingly strong woman. And you are loved.

Sincerely,
Carol Elaine

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Stacey,

Go, you!

Sincerely,
Carol Elaine

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My positivity today: cleaning. It was a good day for me, in that I've cleaned the upstairs bathroom (badly needed), swept both levels, cleaned the kitchen and walked to the local supermarket. And I'm still mostly pain-free and not really short of breath. Yay! I've even gotten a couple of episodes of Season 4 Battlestar Galactica in!

Next up: quick cleaning of the tiny downstairs bathroom and cooking a simple, quick, yet satisfying dinner.

Oh, Gawd, when did I turn into a 1950's housewife? And when am I gonna find time to do my laundry?

Carol Elaine said...

Okay, for some reason this didn't get into my previous edit:

Dear Stacey, Matt & Tom,

Go, you!

Sincerely,
Carol Elaine

Dana Teel said...

Janice, just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. It reveals that you are a kind, caring and for the most part “normal” person with real trials in her life. I admire your honest self-assessments and unwavering commitment to improve yourself. I love that you give yourself permission to not be perfect and stare your flaws directly in the eye. You provide encouragement for me to try and emulate your example. Thank you!