Massive Powers of Organization

 #1 - Someone I love, and live with, found out he has his third interview at a job he is really interested in tomorrow.  His second interview was just yesterday.  I'm glad they scheduled him so fast so he doesn't have a lot of time to be nervous about it.

We both are a bit wary about getting hopes up and excited.  It is so disappointing when he isn't chosen.  It is really a challenge in life to be fully invested yet unattached to the results.  #2 - That said, we are both enthusiastic about what the company does as well as the commute. 

#3 - After college I spent a couple years as a full-time volunteer (well that is what they called us, but we got a stipend which when pooled together with 4 other volunteers covered food, rent etc.)  My second year was the most loving living experience I'd had up to that point in my life.  I felt so safe and cared for in that home that I shared with Peter, Paul, Matt and Emily.

The five of us haven't all been in the same place for at least 12 years, and in that case it was one of our weddings, so we didn't get to all really hang out together. I have just received confirmation that the one who lives the furthest away has bought plane tickets and will be coming.

#4 - When she asked earlier this year if the rest of us were getting together this fall (as we have a couple times since 4 of us live in the same state).  I said, "If someone organizes it," which really meant, "if I organize it."  So it was nice that Emily wrote in her email, "Tammy has used her massive powers of organization..." and then also followed that with doing some organizing herself.

#5 - My partner's youngest goes to summer camp next week and was telling me about it (she has gone previously).  She said, "Do you want to know how they decide which cabin goes in the dining hall first?"

"Whoever is all there first?"

"Nope, each cabin of girls picks a song that everyone in the cabin knows and whichever cabin sings the loudest eats first."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"How do they decide which cabins of boys goes in first?"

"Whichever cabin is the most quiet."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"That is awesome."






P.S.  I listened to this yesterday, but I'll share it because this interview nourished me immensely - Elizabeth just keeps going.

Everyone You Meet

I almost don't want to write anything after listening to that.  It brings such heartbreaking beauty and peace.

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It seems the only reason we have to email our landlord is if there is a problem.  So I made an effort today to email them that after the recent heavy rains the basement didn't leak like it used to, and that it was a nice space for my cousins to sleep when they visited last weekend, unlike previous summers when it would have been too musty.  She replied,

"YAY YAY YAY!! I'm so happy to hear this and know that all the work paid off! Thank you for the feedback!"

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Last week we had a bit of a downer that my partner was no longer being considered for a job that he interviewed for.  Later we learned it was actually that the government contract was taking too long to come thru so they were taking down the position for the time being.  Today we learned he received an email asking for a phone interview from a different company but it had been put into a folder where he didn't see it.  He could have used that pick me up last week, but that's fine, today works too and he'll have the phone interview tomorrow.

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My partner's daughter is playing my friend's daughter in la crosse tonight, so I'll get to watch from the sidelines and talk to my friend whom I haven't seen for over a year.

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 I made a comment about the kids' chores today.  It wasn't a big deal to me, an observation, but I can see how it might have appeared to be a criticism.  Be gentle, be gentle I am reminded, especially to those you love. Which also reminded of this quote that I tried to find the source for, but it is not easily attributed.

"Be Kind for Everyone You Meet is Fighting a Hard Battle"

Downpour

#1 - My partner, Michael, came into the room today and asked me if I could pick up his daughters.  He was not looking at me and started doing some other task after the question so when I responded, "What time?" he was too absorbed to answer.

Once we figured it out I said, "Did you notice how quickly I said, "yes"?"  Because his perception is I often quickly respond "no" about things.

"It wasn't that quick," was his response.

A few minutes later I went to find him in the other room and said, "I am feeling defensive.  You said I didn't respond quickly, but you hadn't even told me what time they needed to be picked up."

He got up, gave me his full attention, apologized and gave me a big hug.  He said I was right, he wasn't being respectful when he made the original request.

#2 - The oldest is learning to ride the city bus by herself and has plans to practice the route they will take to school with a friend on Wednesday.

#3 - I listened to an Elizabeth Gilbert interview today.  During the questions at the end a woman told Gilbert she didn't want to have children, but felt pressure and worried that when she got old she'd regret it.  Gilbert had an awesome response with a list of positive statistics about women never having kids.  She then concluded that there is no statistic correlation between being elderly, with or without kids, and happiness.  She said what was correlated to happiness in the elderly was health and financial security.  So she said, "Brush your teeth, wear a seatbelt, save your money and you'll be fine."

#4 - Michael was going to bring something out to the garage, he came back in and said, "Never mind, it's raining cats and dogs out there."  His daughters wanted to see the rain.  First they stood on the stoop underneath a roof.  Then they ventured out into the downpour and walked back and forth down the sidewalk, playing in the puddles.  And not just briefly.  I'd say they've been out there for at least 20 minutes.

#5 - Our evening plans were cancelled for the rain.  I asked the girls if they wanted to play Catan (board game) instead.  They both enthusiastically said yes, but it seems mother nature has taken their attention instead.

Las Cosas Grandes

#1 - I went to the free 6:30 AM yoga a couple miles from me.  Afterward I decided to lay in a long shivasana, then I sat up and did a short meditation, then I laid down and for another long shivasana.  I'd guess for close to an hour I just sat or laid on the grass because I didn't get home until close to 9AM.

#2 - Michael's eldest rode her bike with me to check out the nearby farmer's market.  It was super cute and I'm excited to incorporate that more into my weekly routine.  I bought zucchini for a zucchini pasta, mixed greens and some super yummi blueberries.

#3 - Later both of Michael's children rode their bikes to the beach by themselves for the first time.  He was excited and also a bit protective/nervous with lots of advice as they were setting off.  They did completely fine and enjoyed themselves.

#4 - During our break-up a couple years back I read a book by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt called Making Marriage Simple.  One of their "truths" is that "Negativity is Invisible Abuse."  Their suggestion to end negativity is to take a calendar, and for a month, end each day with a smiley face or a frown.  The day gets a frown if either partner felt there was negativity that day.  Negativity is critical thinking, competition, constructive criticism...Also you end each day by stating three gratitudes (no repeats) about each other.  I suggested we try this for July last weekend.  Michael seemed hesitant at first but ultimately agreed.  Today he thanked me for this and said he is about to start a new journal and is glad to start it with this grateful energy.  It is a journal I bought him in Spain and that he didn't use last time he began a journal, around the new year, because he was frustrated with me.  The journal's cover states

Las Cosas

Grandes

Empiezan

Siendo

Pequenas

"Big things begin feeling small" (stated more poetically).

#5 - That kind of reminds me of the U.S. women's soccer team request for equal pay.  I'm a lot more interested in that than how well they are doing (or did) in the World Cup.  I wonder if this could be a small thing that changes the world of women and sports, or women's equity in general?