End-of-Year Review

Doing a year-end review is eye-opening. Loads of wonderful things happened in 2012:

The toddler was successfully potty trained.

We took a fun family vacation to Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona for spring break.

My best friend from childhood visited me and we spent a weekend at Snowbird, including a day at the Cliff Spa.

Our family travelled to Chicago for two weeks.

I started running and triathlon training again and competed in my first triathlon after adrenal fatigue.

I painted a lot more and started sharing my art with people on this blog.

My sweet daughter was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I ran my first 10K and half marathon.

My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and I celebrated 19 years of marriage. 

Oh, and I was fired from my job on April 9, 2012.

Of all the things that happened in 2012, getting fired has been the biggest catalyst. 

I haven't written about getting fired because I was so upset and frustrated. I didn't want to write in anger and appear bitter or vindictive. But, I was both of those things for a long time. The crazy thing about getting let go is that it completely minimizes you. In my case I had no warning and was completely blindsided when I had worked so hard to show my employers how much I wanted to help the company succeed. In the end, though, I wasn't enough...and that's what devastated me. 

Now, though, I can look back and see all the beautiful things getting fired taught me. 

• Getting close to your kids and husband is fulfilling and joyful
• Nurturing talents feeds your soul in a lasting way 
• Personal value is deeper than your career or job
• Meetings are overrated and more often than not—unnecessary
• Focusing on your blessings and helping others will always help you feel happy

Although I wouldn't wish that on anyone, I am grateful for the lessons I've learned about life, about human nature and about what's really important. I'm ready now and looking forward to the lessons of 2013.

Busy Summer...Getting Ready for High School Class Reunions

Yeah, it's been more than a month since I blogged. Hey, it's summer! I'd rather be outside working on my tan than working on my blog.  I've been traveling, attending social media conferences (Evo'11, a social media conference for women, in Park City...where I met Elmo!), turning 28 for the 10th time, and, oh yeah, getting ready for my upcoming 20 year Windham High School class reunion in Maine. 

We're going to party like it's 1991!

That's me and my bestie, Jen, in the bottom left corner. I think that's from Jr. High.

So, other than having weird dreams about all the people from high school I haven't seen in 20 years, I've been obsessing about how I'm going to get ready. Figuring out what steps I have to take to look my hottest require a lot of thought and careful planning.

For the next two weeks before the reunion, I'll be posting my prep for this momentous occasion of noticing how much everyone has aged. 

Who else has a high school reunion and what kind of things are absolutely important to do before I go? Help!

Flip Friday: Baby steps

My baby is now one and she's just learning how to move around on her feet. Sometimes you push chairs around before you learn to walk...

Step 1 to What's Next

This year I turn 37. One step closer to the big "four-oh." I'm not sure if that means I'm entitled to a mid-life crisis...but, I'm definitely feeling I'm in transition. Again.

Anyone who knows me is familiar with all the many hats I have worn and continue to wear. I've been an actress, voice over talent, improv player, radio co-host, traffic reporter, newspaper reporter, PR and media consultant, business owner, columnist, editor, publisher — all while being a wife, mother, daughter, friend, teacher, yoga enthusiast, triathlon competitor, organizing geek, Twitter addict, taxi service, artist, church volunteer, neighbor...the list goes on.


I've always enjoyed writing and was challenged today, by an acquaintance, to blog regularly for the next 28 days — until my birthday on July 28. She said I'd find out some clues about where I need to go next. My belief in "writing it down" has been proven time and time again to work. So, this blog is just that...a journey to discover what I need to do or where I need to go next.