Work, Work, Work!

The interviews, back-to-back, each for a Director position, happened on Tuesday. The first was for the job I am least interested in and I figured that was good. This way I could practice my calm and composed responses (I'm grateful to the meditative practices that I was introduced to at a young age) on the first panel grilling me. Hopefully, I'd do well enough so that I would gain momentum going into the next interview.

The first panel was tough to read; they rarely smiled. In fact, one of the panelists furrowed her brow midway through my response to her question and said "I don't understand what you are saying", then asked a follow-up question. I paused and thought of another way to answer the question. That one seemed to go over a bit better but, I had the feeling that points were definitely lost.

All tolled, the first interview lasted about 40 minutes and, by the end, I'd managed to slip in a funny line that made at least half the panel (there were 4 panel members) smile. I still couldn't shake the idea that I'd left at least one of them less than enthused.

On to interview #2. Deep breath, door opens, 5 panelists are introduced and I take my seat. Question after question is shot at me. The hypotheticals were tough but, the experience-related questions were my chance to shine. And, my friends, shine I did! I brought out a laugh from this panel at least 3 times. I was relaxed and at the top of my interview game (though I must admit I am relatively interview inexperienced since 1/2 my worklife was spent running my own business).

There was a point during the interview when I felt happy, really happy. I realized afterwards it was because, within this organization, my experience has not been well respected and often seen as irrelevant. But, on Tuesday, sitting in front of those 5 executives, I was able to clearly articulate how that experience has served our organization and how it could further serve.

I believe I surprised them and that was good.

Now, it's on to a second round of interviews, most likely with the executives to whom I will report directly. I think its all done except for the politics and that, my friends, can always burst a balloon. So, send some good energy and prayers my way. Take a minute to see me in the job I'm seeking; see me working hard and enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Finally, enjoy this holiday weekend and may every bump in your road bounce you closer to your desires!

The English Have Landed

We had a wonderful time this weekend!

The house was in good shape for the arrival of our guests; the painting was completed and a few repairs done. I stormed through the rooms cleaning (which if you know me, you know I try to avoid at all cost); vacuuming, dusting, organizing, washing and scrubbing.

Katie, Tom and Paul made themselves right at home, which is the best way for guests to get along, in my house, anyway.

There was a barbecue on the newly cleaned deck (which looked fantastic, if I do say so myself) and a few Atlanta friends came over to share in the welcoming of my English family-friends. The new grill worked perfectly and Paul played chef (hey Gay-el, I'm the guest, why am I doin' all the cookin?), while I made sure everyone had a full glass and plate. We ate lots, laughed and talked while the kids ran around being teenagers.

I know it was a good time because a few friends asked "why don't we do this more often?" So, I have made the commitment to do just that. Invites go out for the third Saturday in September.

Saturday and Sunday we did the tourist/cultural/educational things on the agenda. Shopping was done because the exchange rate is so favorable for them (and because Paul is a shopper - a lovely trait in a man, don't you think?).

It all went by in a rush. About an hour ago I dropped them at the airport and we said our goodbyes. It is sometimes hard for me to keep my focus on the joy and grace of what is, for however long it is, rather than a focus on what's coming next. So, I got caught a few times, over the weekend, lamenting that they would soon be leaving.

Some things just feel like there should be more.

The world travelers are now on a plane to NYC where there will be lots more sights to see, shopping and fun! But, no where will they find a warmer welcome than right here, at my doorstep.

The Perfect Storm

Is there someone in (or out) of your Life that makes you flutter inside when you think of them? Someone who, no matter how much time has passed, causes your skin to flush and your mind to race? Some DNA-coded human whose incredible and unique biology turns you basic and animal? Maybe that man or woman became your Life partner (aren't you a lucky one!) or maybe one of you walked away...

I have visceral reactions to people - I always have. The first time my ex-husband touched me, on the day we met (he was a dentist and cradled my face during an exam), I started to cry. I thought it was because the touch was surprisingly tender but I wonder, now, if it wasn't just a case of prescience. Either way, though I Loved him dearly, he didn't fall into that unusual category.

No, there are people who can touch our lives and stir up powerful storms. Sometimes those storms are healthy and wipe away the clutter and non-essential buzz that day-to-day Life often brings. Sometimes they create such disruption that critical balance is lost and heartache and fear take over. In rare instances, the presence of one of these special human beings in your Life can do all that and much, much more.

I have had the extraordinary gift of meeting two men whose air streams have shaken my foundation. Loving them has taken me beyond fear, beyond anger, beyond heart-wrenching pain, beyond simple joys and (with at least one of them) well beyond exquisite pleasure. They have (in very different ways) helped me find peace within my heart. One man has become like a brother to me and the other remains quite the Lover.

So that, on this side of 50, I can appreciate Love for its own sake; take in Love that is tender, strong, lacking in perfection, deep and fully alive. My Love for each of them is a natural wonder that I couldn't have anticipated and, for which I am truly grateful.

I'm skipping around these days with a very pleased grin on my face because I'm going to get to hold and experience (and all manner of other unmentionables) my perfect storm, for a little while. Life can be oh, so sweet!

What about you? Any storms blowing in or through your world?

Oh, and the Olympics are as captivating as ever. Go Michael Phelps! How affirming to see someone push beyond the limits, creating new possibilities.

Everyday Life

School starts on Monday; which means high school, for my home. Typical to the adolescent persona, the womanchild is fairly nonchalant about the whole thing. She admits to hoping that she will find her new school interesting and engaging and, at the same time, she believes she will be disappointed. How sad is that? Because, though I know she will make the most of it, I think she is right. Education, as an industry (public and private), does little to support exploration, personal development and expression of the soul. I realize most educators would say that these things are not the purpose of education. Yet, ask almost any teenager and they will tell you that it should be.

If I know my baby, she'll find the space she needs or she'll make her own. That's what the past 14 years of focus for me have been all about; growing a young woman who knows her mind, her body and her Spirit. The rubber is starting to meet the road.

On the lighter side, the weather here has broken. We have moved out of the 90's and back into the 80's. Hallelujah! The temperature is finally bearable and I hope it lasts for a while. We'll see...

Countdown to the arrival of our guests. The painter blew me off this week but, we still have time to get it all done. I'm not fretting, it's just that having conceived a vision of my home for their arrival, I'd like to make it come alive. Send me some good energy!

God?

They say that He is the Loving God

Even though He strikes and smites

And if you have doubts you’re a sinner

Who’ll lose eternal Life

But I really don't like bullies,

Despots, tyrants or shrews

Who tell me there’s a toll to pay

For what I can and cannot do

I think folks have it all wrong

Love doesn’t operate from fear

It fills your heart with wonder

And demonstrates its care

So, keep your God, I believe I’ll pass

Until some changes are made

A little less death and destruction

A balance of sun and shade

For now, I’ll look in the mirror

When I want to cast some blame

Or at my fellow humans who commit

Horrors better left unnamed

And when this Life is over

I know not what will be

But I will have done the best I could

And that’s good enough for me

Living My Life Like It's Golden

The woman-child is having a blast in NYC! She's been to Broadway where she saw Whoopie Goldberg in Xanadu; to Long Island where she was a camp counselor for a day; to her Godfather's job where she was offered a summer internship while in college; to upstate NY for a day in the country with old and dear friends and tonight, after a trip uptown to Harlem, she will see "Hair" in Central Park! What a wild ride and she still has another two days. Lucky, lucky girl.

While she has been gone, I've been playing fancy free adult. Sleeping nude (which I can never do while she is home because she is known to plop into my bed at 2 or 3 AM), saw Baldwin's "The Amen Corner", had tapas and drinks with a friend and spent today cleaning off the deck so when Paul and his family come from the UK we can hang out and barbecue.

Lots of scrubbing, hauling and planting and I feel worn out. One more coat of paint on the deck chairs and then I can have Brian (my handyman) come in and pressure wash and stain the deck. I'm hoping he can paint my bedroom and bathroom, too. But, we may have to postpone that until after the English folk visit.

Funny how I can live with all these things that need to be done. I can postpone the doing of them because of money shortages or time shortages. But, when people come to visit I am suddenly doggedly determined to make changes. I always end up liking the changes, too. I intend to do more of what needs to be done on a regular basis around the house.

I really very excited to see Paul and the kids. One major reason is that they all feel very familiar to me and I have come to think of them as a far-away family. I hope they enjoy themselves while they are here. The woman-child and I will certainly do our best to make them smile.

Well, I hope your days have been good ones and tomorrow only gets better. I'm off to soak in a nice hot bubble-filled tub...