times up (almost)

88 days come and gone.

Accomplishments? perhaps. Was it worth it? absolutely.

Now it is back to work!

Much work to be done on my site, blogs, client's work, house, etc etc etc.

but this time I will remember to breathe

Day 84 - Where I am and What I Have learned

Well, I am coming up on my 90 days and just in time. I have found that I have a hard time not working... as I started doing some freelance right away. And in the last 90 days I decided to move from NY to SC, sold a house, bought a house and spent the majority of my "sabbatical" running around talking to attorneys and realtors, electricians and miscellaneous other folks who I never expected to share this time with. It is funny how life changes in just a short amount of time.

I have yet to complete my list, but that is ok. I have learned that some things take time. It will give me things to do as I get settled in my new town. The snow here is Rochester is making climbing a tree and skydiving a little less appealling, but Spring comes quicker in SC, so I am looking forward to completing those tasks soon.

I have been able to spend time with friends. Perhaps not as much as I would have liked, but time nonetheless. Quality over quantity. And I hope to continue that contact after I move. It will be interesting to see with whom I am able to stay in touch. Distance works for some relationships and kills others...

Life has slowed down in the last couple weeks as the turmoil of moving has become a fact. It will re-ignite in the coming weeks as that reality comes into being. For now I am living in my old house surrounded by boxes and things to be packed. A month from know I will be living in my new house surrounded by boxes and things to be unpacked. Same but different.

I have learned a lot, although not what I expected. I had hoped to write my book, or at least put a good dent into it and I can't say that that really happened. I can say that the ideas have solidified and having done this I think that it will be a stronger book. But that is yet to be seen. Time will tell--as it always does.

Thanks for sticking with me on this journey, I will keep you posted as there is more to report. - Meg

Day 77

Day 77 or so and my 90 day plan is full of new experiences - but none I expected. With an upcoming move, I am learning things about new utility companies, school districts, mortgages, attorneys.... not how I thought my sabbatical would go - but interesting and exciting nonetheless...

Day 60

I am not sure why it seems like I am always trying to catch up. I suppose there must, naturally, be times where I must not be doing what I should be doing. Hmm like maybe this morning when I slept in. I think I made it to 9:30. Not exactly the noon I have been aiming for, but a good amount of time just spent sleeping in. I still have plenty of things left on my to-do list, so maybe it is best that I save that one as a celebration... (sorry - random blogging/thinking).

The house went on the market today. Or at least the sign is in the yard and the info at the real estate agent's. I think it still need to be entered in the website but it is a start. No turning back now. And right on time the water-heater finally went. A new one gets put in tomorrow.

I finished up sending out Christmas cards today. Yes, it is after Christmas. So they are New Year's cards...Merry Holiday. That took the better part of the day, but I feel 100% better for having that done. Also to send out tomorrow are bills, and an over-due Christmas present to a good friend's daughter and one to my sister. Presents are always better after the hustle and bustle of the holidays right?

I got a chance to write a little in Florida. I am not sure how what I wrote will eventually fit into the book, but it was what came out of me at the time, and therefore must be meaningful (or at least that is what I tell myself.)

OMG

I am so glad to be home! I am back from a week with the in-laws which followed that whirl-wind trip to the Carolinas. I have so much fantastic book material in my head--too bad I'll have to wait for the people responsible to die before I can write it down.

I did get to read a bunch - fulfilling that "read stuff" thing on my list. I know that I have a bunch more things to do on that list, but I will get to them soon!

Sad news in that I didn't get to do the skydiving thing. Yet. I will though!

Happy Holidays all - I am off to bloggity blog blog. Much work to be done on that and the www.MeghanWier.com site tonight.

Day 49

I think I have figured it out... it is day 49. I am doing better today and getting ready to do the Florida thing -- maybe I will check out the skydiving situation in Tampa :)

33, 34, 35

Ok - so Saturday was more than just a party for my son - although - I wasn't going to say that in a blog until after Saturday - in that the second part of the day was a surprise retirement part for my father... (check throw big party off my list). It was a fun time and there were a ton of people there. I hope that my Dad wasn't too overwhelmed by the whole thing.

On Sunday, I held my little tea party. I didn't have everyone there I would have liked - but I had a nice turn-out for a little "girl-talk."

After that I still had my sister in from out of town, and she and her husbad didn't leave until Monday afternoon. So now (Tuesday) I am just getting my head back into the "stuff" I need to do.

I also did get new pictures taken. I wish I had been standing up straighter, but the graphic artist should be able to turn 1 of the 12-15 shots into something - or at least use photoshop to make me look good. She will be adding the pics into to the website modifications soon - and I can't wait to see it.

Today I met with long-time friend Roosevelt on his European basketball camp and the needs he has there web-wise. Also met with the folks from Quality Recruiting... nice people there and hopefully I will be able to work with them a bit. Then (after I went to get my tan and sat at Starbucks to write for 45 minutes... afterall, I have priorities now), I talked to Dr. Ellie Phillips and we had a phone meeting with a CRM salesperson ablout organizing the data from the Zellies sales. I have been working on that Dr Ellie blog now for a few weeks and it is getting close to being something we can promote.

All in all, today may have been the day I went back to work. I know I am only 35 days into my 90 days of "sabbatical" - however, I seemed to work pretty hard today. My next steps career-wise are really starting to gel and I am acting and being more of a web consulant and web content writer. It is a good place for me to be, as long as I can keep enough business without getting overly bogged down as I have a tendency to do. Also, this is a good career decision given that I am looking to move, and I will be able to take this with me.

On that I ordered business cards today. Since 3 times today they would have been handy - so I figured for the couple bucks, it was time. I suppose it makes it official. My accountant is going to love that...

Anyhow - I need to update my list so here it is currently:

) Skydive
2) Sleep til noon (or at least stay in bed!)
3) Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast-----Done- it was really yummy. Then I got a stomach ache, which probably explains why people don't eat ice cream for breakfast. So I have marked this one done, and gone back to eating ice cream at night.
4) Climb a mountain-----Need to plan a trip to Denver
5) Get a great tan-----Happy to report I am getting golden!
6) Golf-----Talked to Kelly, I may try to visit her in Florida after Jan 1st and go then
7) Feed the poor-----Thanksgiving attempt failed - working on try #2
8) Throw a tea party-----Done!
9) Drink water every day-----Started!
10) Be a vegetarian... for at least a month-----Failed first attempt - start over December 1--so far so good
11) Learn to cook a fish meal (see above)
12) Read something new and interesting every day---started
13) Keep flowers in the house (Stop and smell the roses)-----Started!
14) Go to museums-----Started
16) Start a Starbucks fund with my change... so that I don't feel guilty about my Chai Latte habit.-----Started!
17) Get in great shape-----Got 1 month gym membership - and Ive gone a couple times
18) Get organized----getting there
19) Eat the best meal ever
20) Memorize a poem
21) Visit my Grandparents-----Flight booked
22) Roll down a grassy hill on my side
23) Climb a tree
24) Plant a tree
25) Swim a mile
26) Play poker
27) Be the kind of person that sends out notes----sending like crazy!
28) Declutter the house---working on it....
29) Have a picture taken of myself that I like---maybe I have it!
30) Make the bed more often
31) Be the kind of person who sends cards (wait isn't this redundant??)
32) Keep the car clean----so far so good
33) Finish Projects-----finished beading project the other night - need to get on scrapbook projects
34) Be available for friends and family who need me
35) Figure out next career step---getting there
36) Write 2nd Book
37) Throw retirement party for Dad
38) Grow my nails--and keep them nice for at least 30 days
39) Play HORSE with current or former professional basketball player
40) Get son on regular bedtime schedule
41) Paint

Days 31, 32

I worked out the other day. I am here to report that is WAS effective. And if it wasn't, the bike ride afterward was...we are starting day 2 post work-out and I still can't walk.

But no time today to complain, I have to be super-mommy to my just 3-year-old. His "Nemo Party" is today and I have to get the balloons, food, people, games, etc. organized. It will be a long day for various reasons, but it has been nice to focus my now psudo-unemployed self on something other than tying to write.

--speaking of which, I need to go post something on the Ask Dr. Ellie Blog for Ellie before the day gets away from me.

I do need to update my things list to include "play more board games" - did some of that yesterday... and maybe "win at least 1 board game in my life"--which I have yet to accomplish. Maybe board games aren't made for introverts... hmmmm there is a new product concept...

- you would think that someone who is well-read and introspective would be decent at trivia pursuit but no...I knew all the answers to everyone else's questions-just not mine. Performance anxiety or something...

on the list: I need to get that re-updated. My sister has started a list too - so now there is competition to get it done...

My new things for today: Throw a HUGE party! - and maybe get a good picture taken... There should be plenty of picture-takers.

- until later... - Meg

Day 28 Continued

I did go to the gym, although I certainly am not setting any records on that treadmill...I'll let you know if the free weights were at all effective - when (and if) I can't lift anything tomorrow...

Went to the tanning booth today too. At 12 minutes every 3rd or 4th day, I am certainly not going to be mistaken for anything but a tan (ish) pale Irish girl... but the tan is coming along... supplimented of course with a self-tanner - I like living danerously, but not too dangerously...

I looked at places to go sky-diving, and may schedule that tomorrow for a trip I am taking to SC. Where I also will visit my grandparents, and get 2 things from my list taken care of on the same trip. However, I was gently reminded by a friend that it is customary to run these things by one's spouse (as in when taking a leap out of a plane, it may be best to have informed the father of your child...) So--I'll keep you posted on that one.

Made some baskets at Brambleberry Barn today to help out Kelly. Fun. And I have to get the house clean for company. That is a total change of pace from a month and a half ago. But my days are going quick... the book is not getting written very quickly, but maybe after monday I will have some more time to focus on that...maybe.

25, 26, 27, 28

Wow, I can't believe it has been so many days since I last wrote this blog. Bad Meg...

Tuesdays have traditionally been my most productive day. I do not know why exactly, but this day is following that trend. I am at my favorite coffee place enjoying a pirated WiFi signal - while low, it is working. Love that.

Talked to my graphic designer about my new site modifications today. I like the direction it is going with the new colors and minor graphical updates. I also sent ger a proposal for some SEO-related web consulting. That should be fun - and since we are working in trade, it will help to pay for the updates to my site.

Talked to a nice guy in the Starbucks a little while ago. Apparently we are both regulars. He noticed, but I did not. :) Anyway, he says that I am in a lot and we chatted for a while about writing and our respective careers, and I avoided getting into the fact that as an introvert I do not talk to strange men in coffee shops. It just didn't seem to be the thing to do at the time. Maybe he will figure it out next time... nice guy, sells plastics in Canada.

Talked to my friend about taking an updated picture for my site - tentatively scheduled for Thursday--although that will be a busy day.

I did some writing today, although this blog is already getting longer than my book writing. Perhaps I will get back to that later this afternoon. Perhaps.

Well - I am off to the gym. Getting in shape was one of those goals and since I am not doing a stellar job on the rest of them--I might as well see if I can get one of them accomplished.

Til later,
Meg

Day 17

ok the workout worked.
Drank the red wine
finding myself
relaxing
being there for others
having trouble finding someone who needs help Thanksgiving...
spending time with my important people.
writing... a little

Days 12, 13, 14, 15

I had a great weekend of spending quality family time - that was nice and I have continued my buying spree...

Yesterday, I went to the gym and did the stationary bike for an hour. It was nice to get to the gym and do that, but I recognize that I really should have worked harder. I kind-of took it easy... tomorrow!

On the better health thing - I went to one of Ellie Phillips' "clean white teeth" seminars last night. Now I am a fairly skeptical person, but I learned a lot last night that makes really good sense. Ellie's dental system is just a good idea - it is simple and I can't wait to start seeing the results for my teeth, my son, my bones (xylitol helps strengthen the teeth as well as the bones - great for those prone to osteoperosis), and my overall health. Hopefully I can help Ellie get the word out with the blog that I am doing for her now (http://askdrellie.blogspot.com) and the books that we want to start writing. I am a believer now... who would have thought!

The house continues to slowly get organized. I have to get a bunch of stuff done today as well - but progress is being made. I have to get writing now for the next 45 minutes - so more later.

Meg