Friday, February 29, 2008

Little Diva goes to Savannah!

she has the most beautiful eyes and is super happy even with a stomach bug.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Monday, February 25, 2008

baking a cake

so, i did it. i decided while mr. wonderful is out of town i'd do something daring and adventurous and that no one would believe. it was a bit scary and a little intimidating but i went out on a limb and baked a cake for his birthday. not just any caek, his favorite cake. there are photos of the whole process which i'm sure you professional bakers out there will laugh at but for someone like me who does NOT make anything except veggie stir fry and instant grits, it was a really big deal. i hope he likes it!!
making the cake batter

they look pretty darn good for a baking neophite

it's not the prettiest you've ever seen which makes

it extra special since it's imperfectly perfect

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Cheers to the Turk and the food of his home country!

the restaurant we keep hearing about so FINALLY, we're here!

this was some seriously great bread!

We are ready to dine!

What AA ordered for all of us. Woh!

Soon-to-be-Dad!

So happy together!

Not what I originally ordered for dessert but enjoyed it sooo much!
Really, really good stuff.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Celebrating Baby S!

Mrs. Photogenic with Soli at today's Baby Shah Shower

HH with Soli!

Our little guess the baby game that I totally did not
do well on but thankfully Fio did!

Soli loves her macaroni cake! Thanks D!!

Our babies hanging out...They're so cute together!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Lunch with RoWi

Had lunch today with one of my favorite pregnant friends. Unlike me, she has multiples meaning two babies in there! Two little girls to hang out with my one. She's amazing! I've known her for years and if anyone can handle two newborn babies, it's her. She's the girl who was a part of every club, played sports and most recently, believes that she can get anywhere in Orland in 15 minutes. For as long as I can remember, she has always had more than one job and at times up to three. I even think she had four one time and for several summers ran her own program for kids. She is super woman and I'm sure this will all transfer into super mom. It's so nice to be here together and to be able to support each other.

My favorite 45 things

Looking for some workplace advice, thoughts and observations. Check out one of my most favorite blogs. Every time I visit, she seems to hit a relevant topic or something I have experienced at some point in my career.

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A recent post on the blog I mentioned above:

Being Right Doesn't Mean You Win

In the working world, we try not to show our weaknesses, concentrating instead on displaying our strengths. We respond to others with confident tones, argue our point of view firmly and lead with authority.Too bad we’re not always right.This may be a hard concept to grasp for some people, especially those who have risen in the ranks because they are always right. But it is true that those who become the most rigid in their attitudes -- who always have to have the right answer and must always prove others wrong -- are not only annoying, but well, wrong.

While it is ingrained in us from the time we are young that we must strive for the “right” answer, must sit “right” and look “right” -- and we will somehow be shamed for being wrong, we start to confuse being right with winning. And it's not the same thing at all.Often, managers are the most guilty of the “always right” atittude, and can be very defensive if they are challenged. But by denying there is anything left to learn, we undermine ourselves and our companies. Failing to acknowledge that other people may have the right answer can lose the respect of others and cause real morale problems.

The most successful teams and the most successful individuals challenge each other to come up with the best idea and the best process. The key is being able to say to someone: "You were right. That is a better idea. Thank you.’”Still,letting go of being right all the time takes courage. You may have to admit that you are insecure about being "wrong", but are willing to make yourself vulnerable so that you can learn and grow.

If you realize that your “right” attitude has gone too far, the first thing you need to do is admit you have a problem -- that's often half the battle. Then:

* Define what winning looks like to you. Think about what you really want, considering how you feel about an issue and what personal experiences come into play.

* Look at how often your need to be right really interferes with what you want. If you shut people down by interrupting them with your “right” solution, or they turn away because you have proven them “wrong,” write it down. Note what happened and what the result was (damaged relationship, less creative interactions, etc.) The key will be to later figure out what would have been a better response.

* Define your fear or anxiety. If you can’t be right, what will be your strategy to deal with that? Tell yourself over and over that it’s okay to win, but you don’t have to be right.

* Ask more questions. Become curious. Those who are always right don’t try to find out what other people may know. Only after someone has given you an answer do you respond with your perspective. That starts a dialogue, and that begins the learning process.

* Step into the unknown. Focus on the shades of gray. Notice how often your thinking is automatically right versus wrong. Argue the other side of the issue first, and look to see the larger perspective.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

tie-ing it up with the VooDoo

the VOODOO minus gingie and my-my brown


tied it up with the mama's and the papa's tonight.

they played well as i yelled from the sidelines. so proud of the voodoo!

Chatting Up a Charity: Give Kids the World

This week has been all about the community since my day started at the BETA Center breakfast and a monthly luncheon I attend, a representative from Give Kids the World was there to talk to us about what the organization is all about. Pretty awesome!

About GKTW: Give Kids The World Village (GKTW) is a 70-acre, non-profit resort in Central Florida that creates magical memories for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. GKTW provides accommodations at its whimsical resort, donated attractions tickets, meals and more for a week-long, cost-free fantasy vacation. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 85,000 families from all 50 states and over 60 countries.

Learn more at their fancy website.

BETA Center

This morning I went to a breakfast where I learned more about the BETA Center.

BETA Center's mission is to give children and parents the knowledge and support needed for strong and healthy families; with a focus on teen moms and at-risk families. Parents learn about prenatal attachment, baby brain development, child development, infant mental health, school readiness and adolescence. Pregnant and parenting teens are embraced with comprehensive programs designed to meet their special needs. Youth learn coping skills and the other developmental assets needed to successfully navigate school and life. Infants thrive under developmentally stimulating care. BETA Center promotes positive parent/child interaction, and helps children and parents grow together.

I sat next to a girl named Gina who had twin baby girls in high school and went to the BETA Center for help. We actually went to the same high school. :-) She is now a college student at Rollins and is pursuing her degree in Anthropology. Her twins are in high school and she has another daughter who is in elementary school. It's always a pleasure to learn more about an organization that is doing so much and get to meet firsthand the people who they are helping.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Advisory Board

Today I went to The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command's Advisory Board meeting. I was invited as a guest of the Vice Chair who is trying to fill some openings on the board. I know the organization very well and enjoy helping when and where I can with their mission of serving others. We were invited to tour the Catherine Booth Towers. What I find amazing about programs like the CBT is that they have been around for years and are operating every day in an effort to fulfill a need for the senior population. It makes me ask the question, "What efforts are being made that are making a difference in other people's lives that you don't even know about?" I guess I feel like there is so much to complain about in the world today but then getting an opportunity to see what's happening at organizations like The Salvation Army helps me see that there is good in the world and it's available for all of us to be a part of and one way to help is to tell everyone about it.

Monday, February 18, 2008

So true!

"No matter what you are doing, keep the undercurrent of happiness. Learn to be secretly happy within your heart in spite of all circumstances."
-- Paramahansa Yogananda

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy VDay to Me!


Got a dozen plus one today at the job to have for VDay.
Thanks Mr. Wonderful! Love you on this lovely day!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

shore, no problem...

outside the window of my room in st. pete beach

Meeting Mia

she is one of those amazing people who challenges you and your place in the world
learn more at www.miafarrow.org

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

In St. Pete Beach

At a retreat this week for work having fun and learning stuff about the house.