The Positives

Thank you so much for the encouragement you shared with me last Friday when I wrote about the unhappiness I've been feeling in the new job. I know that I'm not alone feeling that way & that other people have been in the same position. I'm working to stay positive about it & I truly appreciate your support.

On that note, this week I've had the chance to spend time with a co-worker who is not my boss. I feel like if I can continue to focus on the positive, this will be a great experience for me. While I've been with this co-worker I was told several times that I have one of the most positive outlooks of anyone. It made me smile knowing that people see this in me.

You see, I truly believe that the small, everyday actions you take can make a positive impact on people you may not know.

I strive to focus on the positive and lift other people up.

I think that the more frequently we can lift others up the better place our world can be.

When people need encouragement, I encourage. When I have an opportunity, I praise people's accomplishments.

What you did last week was turn that around for me & help me keep focused on the positives that are in my work life. Thank you so much.

As a special thank you the first three people to comment with how they spread the positive will receive a special gift from me.

So tell me, how do you spread the positive in your everyday life?

The Grass is Always Greener and all that jazz

Happy Friday everyone!

I can't begin to tell you how much I look forward to Friday each week. Is everyone else like this? I don't know that I ever dreaded Mondays coming around though as much as I do now.

You may remember that I was facing the possibility of layoffs at my prior job. Knowing this I was proactive and searching for new opportunities. One came my way, quite by accident, when a recruiter came across my resume online.

We spoke, I telephone interviewed with the hiring manager as well as a VP and learned that I'd be going to their home office for a day of interviews.

Y'all

I was so excited. Here I was facing a potential loss of job and income and I had been singled out for a new position.

The interviews in the office went swimmingly well...except for the in person with the hiring manager. I walked out of there wondering if he was a modern day Jekyll & Hyde. It didn't go well, in my opinion. He was totally different in person than over the phone.

I walked out feeling that it was wrong and probably, based on him, wouldn't be a good fit for me. I didn't expect to be offered the position.

And then the recruiter called and offered me the job.

With some trepidation I accepted. Based on everything I knew, both with my prior company and the current economy, I felt like it was a no-brainer. I couldn't not have a job. Sure, I thought about dog walking to supplement the loss of income. It wouldn't have been the same though and would have placed a strain on Mr. Potts' & my marriage.

We would have made it through, but it would have been tough.

Interesting side note - I would have been laid off less than a month later.

So, all was well.

And then I started.

And I'm not complaining (well, trying not to) but I quickly realized this was not going to be a long-term job for me.

Very quickly. As in, "I haven't quit applying for new jobs and probably won't until I find one."

One piece of this is that the travel portion has escalated from 50% - 70% to almost 100%. I like my home, I like my bed, I love my pets, I love my friends, I love my family and I love Mr. Potts. Trying to squeeze all of this into 2 days is pretty rough.

Yet there is more.

Because, you see, I've learned that my new boss genuinely dislikes people. He is quite the elitist and has no problem letting people know he is looking down his nose at them. Y'all.

He manages a team of people and feels like it is ok to keep them in a "constant state of heightened discomfort and fear for their job as a way to highly develop them."

True statement out of his mouth.

Last week though had me almost in tears. I learned that he, a manager of people (who doesn't like people), a manager part of an HR organization, has had several (numbering 4-5) HR complaints in less than 6 months.

So, I've been digesting this information and my thoughts/feelings about this new job. Much like a few months ago, I feel like this is not a good position to be in.

What a sad post for a Friday, right?

But what I'm focused on is this:

• I am employed

• We have health insurance

• We are continuing to save for our future

• I'm still learning in my professional life

• I still have regular Fridays.

Fridays make me smile, so today, my wish for you is that you smile!

What makes you smile on Friday?

Fabulous Friday Picture Dump

Happy Friday y'all!!

We're in Nashville for the weekend participating in Mr. Potts' sister's wedding. There shall be pictures, she declares (next week!).

I have several weekends worth of photos to share before the pictures from the wedding extravaganza.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to dress up and attend the Humane Society's Ties & Tales gala. We clean up pretty well, no?

The weekend of Thanksgiving we decorated the tree and had our annual holiday cookie making day with the munchkins. This year they both spent the night before the big day.

I ask them all the time if they'll slow down & quit growing. They both refuse.

This past weekend we had our annual holiday party. I was rocking the red lipstick & slightly darker hair.

And what photo dump would be complete without a few gratuitous Christmas decor photos?

Our buffet dressed up for our party. If you look closely you'll note that I hadn't put the cheese out with the crackers yet.

Why yes, those ARE nutella rice krispie treats!!

Our mantle. We added lighted garland this year.

I can't seem to take a decent picture of lighted elements. Any suggestions?

Hope you all will have a wonderful weekend!!

Tuesday Confession

I've finally caught up on reading blogs. Phew. There were several times when I thought it would be easier to simply select "Mark all as read" rather than wade through all the different blog posts.

I'm so glad that I didn't do that. I would have missed catching up on all the things that have been going on in everyone's lives.

Hopefully by now you all know that I have accepted a new position with a new company. One that hasn't gone through and emerged from chapter 11 only to still not make numbers. I can't tell you how excited I am about working for a stable company!

Y'all that feels great.

Almost as great as participating in Leslie's Confessional. I mean, really, who doesn't like to get things off their chest?

So, here goes!

1. I've got house fever. Mr. Potts told me one evening that he'd been looking at houses online. Well, that got me started. I've found several that I love. Some with beautiful interiors, some with beautiful exteriors, very few with both.

2. While I have house fever, I do love our town home. It fits us perfectly, for now. I love it even more so since it is decorated for Christmas and everything feels so warm and cozy.

3. I've finished most of my Christmas shopping and gift wrapping. I have a few people who aren't accounted for yet and I'd love to be able to cross them off my list.

4. I want to try on my wedding dress from 3 years ago to see if it fits.

5. See above - I think it will fit but probably be way too big. Since I wore it I've lost about 20lbs.

6. I've a longing for these boots.

via

That's all I've got! What confessions do you have?

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Not another manic Monday

Thank you all so much for the kind and welcoming words last week. After being absent so long from blogging, it felt good to let you know what has been going on.

This past Friday was my last day at my former company. It was quite a bittersweet day for me. While with this company I've grown in my professional experience as well as experienced professional heartbreak.

Anyone wondering what professional heartbreak is? I had to sit and think for a few moments of the best way to describe the disappointments I experienced there.

As a learning professional I truly want to help others learn and grow in their professional experience. What I saw with my former company was almost the opposite. There were many times when we had opportunities to be exceptional, even great, but did not have senior level support. In all honesty, one could probably say the company as a whole regressed.

Professional heartbreak.

But I also loved many of the people I worked with. There will be many people that I will keep in touch with, many who had tears in their eyes on Friday. I'll miss them all but am excited to be moving on and have an opportunity to learn and grow in my new role.

I have a week off before I start next Monday. Wonder what I'll be doing?

1. Going back to the hair salon (I was there Saturday) to have the fix my hair. I was brushing through my hair last night and noticed that if I part my hair differently than it was blown out that I'll have a stripe in the middle of my hair. Not like a random long strip of blonde hair root to tip but a horizontal strip about 4 inches long about 2 inches down from my root.

Not good.

2. Going back to Ulta to pick up eye makeup remover. I didn't look closely at the label on the mascara I purchased & picked up waterproof. I don't normally wear waterproof & had a hell of a time getting it off Saturday night (Sunday morning) at 3:00 after our holiday party.

3. Uploading pictures from our party. You know, so you can have a post with pictures.

4. Prepping for Mr. Potts' sister's wedding in Nashville this weekend. Trust me, the pictures (and stories) from this will be PRICELESS.

Happy Monday!

Falling back on the radar

Over two months.

That is how long it has been since I sat down at the computer and wrote here. Sad, isn't it? It felt like every time that I sat down to write all I could think about was my job situation.

It wasn't good.

And while I think I could have moaned about it for a good 25+ posts, I didn't believe anyone would want to read past the first one. Truth be told, thinking about my situation day in and day out was exhausting. I just couldn't add to that by writing anything about it.

So.

On to better news.

I have a new job!

Phew. Bet y'all didn't see that coming.

My first day will be December 12th. And with that, I'll be a road warrior again. Will fill you in on those travels. Hopefully this will keep me out of Maine in February.

Smile

I also have been very fortunate in that I won two giveaways. Two! I know!

Back in October Abbie from A Glimpse of the Girl Next Door hosted a Stella & Dot giveaway. Lucky me - I won! Now, I've lusted after Stella and Dot jewelry for a while but haven't caved in and picked something out for me.

I was so so excited to pick out these earrings. Aren't they beautiful?

Thank you Abbie! I LOVE them!!

Then, as if October weren't about to wrap up with a bang I won Shasta Anne's Pink Clarisonic giveaway!

I was so over the moon and couldn't believe that I won! Thank you so much Shasta for hosting such a wonderful giveaway!!

Following close on the win of these giveaways I received the job offer. It happened so so quickly & honestly I wasn't expecting it.

I'm beyond thankful for the blessings I have. So many weights feel as if they've been lifted from my shoulders and I thank God for his love.

Long catch up, but much needed.

xoxo

Ch ch ch ch changes! It's in the air!!

Fall is often the time when people begin to change things out.

Summer bags are cleaned and gently placed in their dust bags and the fall/winter bags taken out and brushed off.

Shorts and Tanks are put away in favor of Jeans and Cozy Sweaters.

Summer weight comforters are exchanged for the cozy, cuddly warmth of winter/fall comforters. And maybe an extra blanket hanging around for when the window is open and things are quite brisk.

Summer decorations are exchanged for fall themes. Colored leaves, pumpkins, all things Fall.

Summer highlights are looking a little much so a girl decides to darken them. To fit more feel of fall. I've touched on that recently (see picture in prior pic and you'll see what I want) and will get there myself, it is just a matter of the time, the who and the what in the world will I be doing??

This time of year also heralds my return to comfort food. I slip away from salads and salads and more salads and grilled chicken and pork chops and I return to the comfort food.

We've spoken of it before...Macaroni and Cheese, Chicken & Dumplings, Stews, Braised Ribs, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Root Vegetables. I can go on and on.

Most of the time my food rambling centers on main meals - the big ones that tide people over at the end of a long day. These meals warm people's bellies and their hearts. They're the kind of meal you want to savor with warm fuzzy socks on.

Lately though I've been craving breads. It has to do with the way I'm made up. When I'm stressed (and we know I have been) I want carbs.

Gooey, taste yummy carbs = Comfort Food

So to satisfy the urge I've made Garden Harvest Cake.

So super yummy and so so easy. You're welcome in advance.

From Cooking Light

Garden Harvest Cake

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour (1 cup)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup grated peeled Granny Smith apple (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup grated carrot (about 1 medium)
• 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• Cooking spray

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Weigh or lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and the next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

3. Add grated apple, grated carrot, shredded zucchini, and walnuts to flour mixture; toss well.

4. Combine canola oil, buttermilk, and eggs in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

5. Add egg mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until combined.

6. Spoon batter into an 8 x 4–inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.

7. Bake at 350° for 50 minutes or until a wooden pi.ck inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove cake from pan. Cool completely on wire rack before slicing.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!! Friday can't get here fast enough!!