Dogs

As I mentioned in the last post (here) this past Friday & Saturday were spent holding a retreat at my house with my BFF.  We were talking goals, both professional and business, for 2013 and well beyond. 

It was serious stuff with some fun mixed in.  However I have two dogs and while I love my dogs they are a big distraction. I decided to ask a friend to take them for 36 hours.  She is a kind soul and agreed.  She also has a dog, Trixie, who I watch on occasion.  The 3 dogs get along great and have a good time together. 

Friday morning I dropped the dogs off at her house and returned to mine.  It was a odd thing.  Typically I am leaving to go out of town not returning to an empty house. 

I feel a little guilty admitting that I rather liked the quiet.  I liked that the house stayed clean.  I liked that I was able to sleep the whole night without interruption.   I liked that I was able to leave the house for lengths of time without thinking about dinner time.

My BFF and I worked hard over those two day and I really didn't miss the puppers.

Within 5 minutes of waving goodbye as she drove off toward home I got into my car and picked up my dogs.  There are pros and cons to having 4 legged friends but for right now I am good with the pros.  
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This post was written as one of the exercises I set up during the retreat.  We were not allowed to get out of our respective beds Saturday morning until a blog post was written.  Notice I kept mine pretty darn short ;)

Annual Musings

This time of year brings many things: taxes, spring, allergies, longer days filled with warmth.  What also comes this time of year is my birthday.  

I used to be very goal driven but the last 5 years or so I had gotten away from thinking about tomorrow.  This year though, I have been working toward getting back on track.  I have been listening to self-help books on my drive to work.  I find it starts my day off with a positive vibe and gets me revved up for my day. 

Another change this year was buying index cards and writing goals on one side and on the flip side a treat when I achieve that goal.  I would be overwhelmed if posted them all up on my board at the same time, so two go up.  One is typically a more challenged goal and one is a bit easier.   Right now the challenged goal is to pay off a credit card that got away from me.  My treat, when I succeed, will be to start saving for a new walkway between my driveway and front steps.  The easier goal is to eat 4 good dinners a week.  That may not sound like a big deal but as a single person I have been known to have popcorn for dinner. 

I think what I want to work on most this year is to simply be in the moment.  Whatever moment that may be: work, giving the dogs a bath or tweeting with a friend.  Each moment, trial or treat, is a gift that I need to embrace and I am very grateful to all my friends and family for filling my life.

If you have any suggestions on good self-help or sales books to listen/read please let me know!