It’s all about Donna

I don’t know that making time is really the right title for this post, but I’m gonna run with it.

I don’t seem to have enough time to half of the things I want to do. If you want to do something, you are supposed to ‘make time’ for the activity. Well, I think that is much easier said than done. Try as I may, even when I plan and make time, I still don’t feel like I have near the time I need to do all the things I want to do.

Am I doing too much? I don’t feel like I am doing any more than when I was younger. Maybe I am kidding myself. Maybe I really am doing too much, and maybe I really just don’t have the time, made or otherwise, to do it all.

Like my friend in my last post, I want to write more. Now while time is an issue, it is not the factor here. There just hasn’t been anything worth jotting down. I will have to see what I can do about that. I may have to change my format a little. Like so many things in life, this blog has matured and it’s not always about Donna.

I have some new business friends. I call them business friends because I met them through my day job, that’s business. So they are my business friends. One new friend is all about marketing. I’m still getting to know her, but her knowledge and experience humble me. I know nothing in comparison. I couldn’t help myself, had to check out her blog when I read her post about making her resolution to blog more. In reading through the posts, I stumbled onto one that I had to share here. I just love it…

Here are our Networking Rules to live by: PLANS

1) PROTECT -just like your family; be honest and guard against ill will done to them

2) LEVERAGE -ask for guidance, recommendations and support to make things happen

3) ALLEGIANCE -pinkie swears and IOU’s apply here

4) NURTURE -share your knowledge, insight and most importantly, your time

5) SUPPORT - everyone appreciates a pat on the back, especially during the rough times

You can read the whole post here: http://liveworkplay.wordpress.com/2007/01/16/networking-for-success

Happy New Year! I know that sounds trivial but it is sincere. I always look forward to the end of December and the beginning of the new year with an informal tradition started quite a few years when I was invited to a friend’s house to ring in the new year. We didn’t get to do it last year for a lot of reasons. I remember calling my girlfriend to let her know it was just wrong to not be at her house for the event. This year we didn’t miss the opportunity.

An enjoyable evening with my ranch friends Kate and Jheroen, Jeff and Kathy (hosts), Sandy and Chris. An intimate evening with good friends, good food, and a good time.

At the stroke of midnight, we toasted in the new year. I resolve to be a better friend. I think I’m a pretty good friend now, but there is always room for improvement. And these people have been very good friends to me, so it is my turn to start returning the favor.

I know this post is a bit disjointed. Funny. I ran across a term paper I had to write in high school. Even back then, the one markup I got was for making disjointed statements. I can see I come by the character flaw honestly.

So I shall continue my tradition of being disjointed, and close this post.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I never knew that certain planetary alignments were called conjunctions. This evening, one such conjunction took place. The alignment of Jupiter, Venus and the moon. It actually started yesterday. It won’t happen again until 2013. In the first phase of the conjunction, which was yesterday, the moon and two planets make a smiley face of sorts. This evening, it is just the reverse where they make an upside down frown. An interesting phenomena indeed.

Planetary Conjunction of Venus, Jupiter and the moon

I had the wonderful blessing of being invited to participate in the Thanksgiving day family festivities at my friend’s ranch this year. I’ve known Kate’s family for years now. What made this particular day so special was realizing just how long I’ve known them all, and getting to witness how the niecelets, as they are affectionately known, have grown up into young women. The youngest, Katie, is now 18 years old. I first met her when she was about 6. There’s also Callie and Abbie. I think Callie is now about 21 and Abbie is somewhere in the middle. The other kids have grown up as well, but I know the niecelets the best.

What stands out most about this day, was the hay ride. Foolish me tried to carry a glass of wine on the trip. Wrong. Note to self: take a sippy cup next time. I had more wine on my than in my mouth. I digress. What came out of this trip was the realization that it isn’t always all about me even though I would like it to be. Kate has new calves on the ground. The topic of naming the newborns came up. I asked if she was going to name one Donna. I was quickly informed it wasn’t all about me. What do you mean it’s not all about me? We all laughed hard.

I realized on this day, just how thankful I am to have such wonderful friends as Kate and Jhereon, and for them to think enough of me to include me in their family day. I was honored. In reflection, I am very thankful to a former colleague who introduced me to Kate over 10 years ago.

This was a day that was truly about friends, family, and Thanksgiving.