Coincidences

The world is getting smaller. Last week in Sarasota I noticed that the Sales Director at the hotel was a Merrithew. Sure enough her husband is related somehow to my ex. Coincidence #1. Sunday at another hotel in Charleston on the elevator a nice young man on staff asked if I was on vacation. Turned out he was from Moncton New Brunswick and missed the cold. I commiserated and said something inane. As I was checking out he was near my door and asked if he could start my room. When I got to the car I went through the regular routine - double check rings on, watch on, OH NO, one of my earring was missing. Quick run back up check room (guy was in hallway explained problem, leave my name and phone number at desk with description. By the time I got out to my car someone ran out and said - wait the young man walked the hall more carefully and - ta da - found my earring. Was that #2? Today I called a Craig's List add for a king mahogany headboard for sale. Scheduled an appointment for 6:30, rounded up my wing woman and arrived at the designated apartment. Turns out 1) he used to live in the house on the corner with his girl friends parents when he first moved here, 2) he delivered our neighbors Mini to him when it came back from repairs, ready for #3. He calls to say his roommate with a pickup is bringing the headboard over and what pops up on my cell phone is his number with "Elizabeth NJ". Sure enough he was born and grew up there until he followed girl friend to Charlotte 3 years ago. That headboard was meant for me!

Are these a sign?

Thank you

It has been several years since I travelled for business most weeks of the month. I have had several years of working mostly in my bunny slippers with a few forays out to client sites. But all things change and this will probably change.

Tonight I realized how lucky I am to have so many people who make my life easier. It started with the kid in the red jacket who hopped off the bus taking me to my car when he said,"Ma'am ill put your luggage on for you" and then he took it off at the other end and asked what was I driving while I went to pay my parking bill. My car was idling with the radio off,my seat where I left it, and the air conditioner blasting. It's hot here in the South in parking decks. Luggage stowed I pulled up to my freshly mowed lawn and sparkling clean house. Thank you David for the great job your crew does, and thank you Lolla for the ladies who make my kitchen sparkle.

I am tired and my feet hurt. But I cannot thank the people enough who make this a little easier. I get to focus on wrapping up some work deliverables and thinking about the weekend. I am a lucky woman.

The Calm Parent

Where was this training program when I was parenting. Are you asking why am i listening to the cd's while driving to WV. The WV trip is a 7 hour drive on open highway with only a few areas with traffic and most people stay close to the tolerance level for speed, very few aggressive drivers, so it is a great trip to actually listen to more than music.

Anyway my once a month rabbi had gotten the program from her therapist and she said that while we did not have children at home and many of the examples no longer applied, the theory was worth considering. I'll let you know what I learn.

West Virginia bound

Sunday, Monday or Tuesday we are heading to WV. It is a Cardos family reunion to visit Mom and the two dogs and a cat whose ashes were scattered on the mountain last year.

We haven't been to WV in nine months. We had a long term renter working on the power plant refit. I would like to go up in time to restock the basics of toilet paper, Kleenex, salt EVO, Tide etc. The basic staples for the house, and to be sure everything was ship shape. But the selfish side of me wants a few more days at home. Once I leave I won't be back until Mid-week the following week since I have to report for work in DC the Sunday after the 4th.

I loved the WV house, it was the one place I slept soundly and felt totally comfortable sitting on the porch in my pj's drinking coffee. But everything changes with time. Zed is older and the walk around the circle in the gravel is harder on his little paws. I still have about 40 hours of work to do before I head to DC. Decisions, decisions Guess we will go Sunday if I can race around tomorrow like a crazy woman stocking up on provisions, packing for two lifestyles, working on menu's so I bring the essential parts and guess what I can find at the Shop and Save.

Blessed be the direct flight

Recently I have been doing a lot of business travel. For years most of my projects were close enough to drive to meetings and then followed up with conference calls. Not sure what changed but for several months it seems like it has been non-stop travel. Tonight the inbound flight was late arriving but we were assured that if we lined up promptly,stowed our gear,gate checked extra luggage we would be on board and in the air with hardly any delay. Like good little soldiers most of us complied. We were all on board, getting ready to shut down our electronic devices when the voice came on and in a very comforting but authoritative way said "due to weather in Charlotte" we were on a 20 minute delay, then updated to an hour and you could get off but...stay close we could leave on a moments notice. My choice was to sleep. Nice nap!

But I realized that no matter what the delay as long as the plane finally got in the air, I would be sleeping in my own bed tonight. Around me people were scrambling to check connections or make alternate flight plans. So no matter how tired I might be, how much I grumbled about schlepping luggage across town by metro, taxi and train to get to the airport on time, all I had to do was take a nap and hope the plane eventually shut the doors and headed south because my car was waiting , my bed was freshly made and tomorrow I would wake up in my own house and pad downstairs to make a cup of coffee in my pj's and peruse the newspaper that had only the news that was fit for the delicate constitution of a southern lady to read!

Does this mean I am getting old?

I have always tried to present an understated but professional appearance even when working on the floor of the data center. I try to coordinate, my sneakers are clean, I always wear earrings. The last few months I have been working in downtown DC. This should have been easy. Everyone in the client site is VERY stylish, most are European but it is a very cosmopolitan group.

Now the problem. I walk about 3/4 mile from hotel to metro and then three blocks from metro to the office-carrying my laptop,100 lb power pack, and stuff in my stylish leather over should bag. Woe to me if I throw in a water bottle! My shoulder is killing me. I have brought my pull along but that is less than wonderful on the sidewalks and escalators and I still have to carry it on and down the aisles of the plane. And it does not hook onto my luggage. Hey folks I am not feeling the sympathy. So I broke down and bought an unstylish laptop bag that is light, hooks onto the handle of my luggage and I can hook my hard hat on with a bungee cord. I always said when I abandoned fashionable I would soon lapse into sensible shoes and cut my hair to a practical length!

Today the guy who took my car - who knows me by now - says wow I like a girl with a hard hat. And the TSA agent tells me I am the envy of all the little girls. Who knew. Women check out the handbag, look to see if the briefcase is leather and a tote. Men they are all about the hard hat.

Sun jealousy

My favorite season is summer, especially summer days at the pool or even better the beach. This year I am living vicariously through my youngest grandchildren. They are spending hours and days at the pool and ocean. I was sure that as a consultant I could finagle my schedule to work from the beach or at worst at home with liberal mid-day breaks paid for with later hours in the evening. Not so this year. Guess I had better become a better project manager ; >