Well, not exactly & Reverb10 Day 9

This week was better than last week. The co-worker with the ill-planned medical procedure is doing better and has returned to pull her load. My other co-worker can't let it go and told the other woman maybe she should take a leave of absence if this is going to be an ongoing thing. This kind of unsportmanship behavior really gets to me. I have a job. I go to work everyday with the intent to do my best - whatever the situation  or case may be. That doesn't mean I might not get pissed if I feel taken advantage of, but I will do my work and be darned cheery about it (while I'm there).


Anyway, on to Reverb10, Day 9 (yes, I'm behind but I'm working on it)

December 9 – Party 


Prompt: Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)


Well, sad to say, there weren't any parties in 2010 that I had the pleasure of attending. So, I'm stretching the definition of party to "gathering" and going with my trip to Albuquerque in September. The first night we were there, we attended a meet-n-greet with other independent school faculty and staff at El Pinto Restaurant. The purpose of the trip was to see the host school and sit in on a planning meeting for an upcoming arts festival. I was excited just to be in New Mexico and it was fun to be there with a lot of people I knew from Houston and from past arts festivals. Our group was outside and the weather was fantastic. The tables were festive and the Margarita's were perfect. I got my first taste of New Mexican food and it's nothing like TexMex. They use green and red chili's but they are not the same green chili's we have here in Texas. You can learn more about their peppers here - if you're interested. Apparently, chili's are great for your diet, too. All the more reason to spice things up!


There were some pesky mosquitoes at the restuarant and those suckers were big. I thought Texas cornered the market on those blood-suckers but I was wrong. Ouch. 


The rest of the weekend was spent getting to know Albuquerque. I love that place! I think I mostly love seeing the mountains all around. Oh, and the freeway was a lovely terracotta color with turquoise trim. I didn't get a good picture when I was there (it's hard to take pictures when your driving, go figure) but here is a great shot at Getty Images.


Hope you are having a great weekend. Are you getting in the holiday spirit? I'm working on it :)

A day late...

I really do want to start posting in the mornings. By the time I get around to writing a post, it's almost tomorrow. I tried writing my words down on paper during the day yesterday (Wednesday) to get a head start, but it's been so long since I actually wrote with a pen that my thoughts just didn't flow. Then, last night I struggled with my answer to the Dec. 8th prompt (Reverb10). I'm not very comfortable with thinking about myself as "beautiful." It sounds conceited. But this is an exercise to help manifest what's next and I'm ready for that.


December 8 - Beautifully Different


Prompt - Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)


I thought about this all day. What makes me different? Maybe it's the fact that I have long brown hair with only a smidge of grey. Not very many women my age (a-hem, 53) don't color their hair. (I'm growing mine to donate to Locks of Love and I'm really getting ready for a haircut, lol). But I think the qualities of our character are what makes us different, or beautifully different. These qualities that are a direct result of the lives we've lived and the people we've loved. Some of those qualities are born out of happiness and some are born out of grief. And, our character is constantly evolving which is a good thing.


Now, on to some of the ways that I think I am different:  I'm detailed and observant and see details that many people overlook. I notice the design of things, but not in a critical way. I like to find better ways to get something done and like being efficient. I'm a listener and keeper of private things. When you tell me something is "just between us" it stays that way. I take no pleasure in gossip. I thrive on honesty, but have trouble trusting others. Go figure.


I can't imagine what I might do that "lights up people" but I try always to be gracious. I try to be courteous, thoughtful, and kind. I was raised that way and it pretty much stuck.

I'm excited about participating in Reverb10. I got a late start in this challenge and now I'm another day behind...so I think I'll try and catch up this weekend. I'm feeling a shift in my thinking already. Yesterday I went for a walk and it felt great. Not like someone was holding a gun to my head to get out there. 

If you found my blog from Reverb10, welcome! And thanks for stopping by. I look forward to learning and growing from this awesome event.