This is long…better get a snack.
I am a Pacific Northwest native (love!), spent the last three years on the East Coast (not so much!), and am happy to now be a Midwesterner.
In first grade I was awarded “Miss Short and Sassy” and “The Bionic Voice”.
I started working at the age of eight. Soon after that I started my own business. I’ve had several over my lifetime. They have all been accidents, the result of seeing a need and stepping up to the plate to help out.
At home I am the kind, loving, benevolent dictator. (That was a joke….sort of)
At work I am the person who’s solved all the problems and created systems before the meeting is over. I also like to spread happiness and pass out random compliments.
I am an INFJ – the rarest of all personality types. I think the “I” is debatable. Because of the “F” people have been coming to me for advice since I was a child.
I’ve worked with people down on their luck, CEO’s of giant corporations (think household brands you use daily), and everyone in between. I have learned something from all of them. I’ll share some of those lessons.
Some people don’t like me because I’m candid. Some people love me because I’m candid. I like the second group better.
I have celiac (see-lee-ack) and am mostly vegetarian – but I don’t judge. I’ll write about how all that came about.
I have been married for over 20 years to an amazing man that I got engaged to after dating for six weeks. He is amazing mostly because he is still here.
I have two exceptional kids that go to great public schools and are home schooled. One is a tween and the other is a teen and we are still very close despite that.
I have always owned boxers, but in a moment of insanity during our last move, I decided the kids needed a Labradoodle, or Goldendoodle, I can never remember what he is. He has his own opinions, and I think he knows my website password. But since he doesn’t shed, I let it slide.
People ask me all the time how I’ve been able to work, run businesses, volunteer, finish college, maintain an awesomely organized life, remodel and decorate homes, make tons of cool stuff, cook allergy friendly meals, plan fun events, raise terrific kids, stay married, move across country and not lose my mind…
I think that last part is debatable. The truth is, I don’t know myself, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal and I always feel like I forgot something. Or I missed something.
They are really asking me for the answer to how someone “does it all”. The short answer is, no one does. But everyone tries.
This is how I try. By showing what the systems and processes look like…here…in public. Along with my journey for answers of my own. I’m super scared, but inspired by so many other awesome women….they keep me from chickening out.
It may not be up your alley, and I’m good with that. My hope is that you find something useful, get off the computer and apply it to your own life.
Oh yeah…Who are Jim and Jimmie???
They are my parents. That’s them on the home page. They are not perfect. I love them anyways. They taught me everything about life – good and bad. They taught me to live my life without apology, to be who I am and enjoy the ride. Sometimes I have forgotten that…but I’m working on putting those lessons into action daily.
