One second. One life

We are all time poor, give wealth to your time by how you live your life.

Imperfections are Perfections

Why I Am So In Love With Sunday Brunch!

 Sunday Brunch. Ah...The sound of it, the look of it. Puts me in a happy place.  I love Sunday brunch. There are no set of rules on what categorize it to be this.  It is a time to enjoy, not to rush, eat what you want. Breathe.  Some people this means their Sunday brunch does not happen on this day. Which is OK, there are no rules! It could fall on a Monday because that's when you have the day off.  For many years I didn't have that time to enjoy, ever...so now, it is part of my "wellness" program that I follow for myself.

It is important for me to be able to decompress, before the week ahead of me goes into full gear. Sometimes, I get so busy during my work week that I don't remember to eat during the day. I know, how can you forget to eat? Well, put it simply...I get so wrapped up in my work that when my stomach finally rumbles loudly and makes it known that my mind has been it's enemy, I will see that many hours have passed on by without taking a break.  One way to make up for it is to stop doing this but I know this will be a relapse again and again. That's where Sunday brunch comes in.

This time is for me, forces me to slow down, forces myself to pause. I need this because it helps recharge my mind, body, and energy to go another week punishing my poor tummy.  This is the time I linger, peruse the menu, really get in tune and ask myself these questions that I refuse to do other times, " What am I in the mood for? What do I realllly want? Do I want dessert before breaksfast? What do I want to cook? Who do I want the company of or do I want to have the time alone? Loud place? People watching? Quiet and cozy? Or just eat in bed and watch T.V.?"

It's my decision, and I get to do what I want to! Even if it is only for an hour or a few hours.  No one else is telling me how to enjoy my brunch, and if I am with others then they are all in it for the same reason! Take your break, you need it!

No Mountain's High Enough

Remember when you want something, don't fear the journey, fear not having the journey to get it.

If you say the mountain is too high to climb

Then you will never know the beauty that lies behind it.

Hanging on by a Thread - Your business does not have to feel like this!

You started off with a bang. The excitement of a new company has stirred people to see what you are all about. Then the excitement wears off too soon and you wondered, "What happened? Where are my supporters?". 

Friends, family, and close business network contacts are not enough to keep the momentum going. How do you keep gaining speed and consistent interest in a new company before it becomes a whisper? Clear and loud voice is key.  I always tell people getting prepared to launch their business there are certain factors they need to accomplish before they launch, create a "stir", a fluid mix of reasons why people will stay interested in your company.  

• A cause they believe in:

Joining a Foundation, Charity, Cause is extremely important.  This should be your focus in the beginning.  People want to see if you are passionate about their communities and causes.  Why? It shows the company is planning on sticking around, they are interested in being part of something that helps others in some way. It gives them a voice, not just a listing in a business directory.

• Networking events:

Don't be the one that introduces the business for the first time at a launch party. Get people excited!  Even if you don't have a launch date set yet, it is good to put yourself out there before it.  Think of it as dating, you might start off with a conversation, that leads to more conversations.  A first date is established (small mixer or event), put your best foot forward, look and sound sharp, interesting, and plug the cause you are involved with. Common ground interest "stirs" more interests. The next step is the second date. It is about wooing your future clients and business! You want them to anticipate your next call for another date! 

• Compliment:

Know who your target audience is at these functions.  You can divide them up to several categories at each one so you don't have information overload. You can have conversations at ease knowing they are in similar fields as the rest of the party. Showing admiration to others can greatly increase they will talk about your company after the event.

• Sell yourself:

Not like that!  Visit business you know, or don't know that you could be a service of. Make it short and sweet, it's on their time, not yours.  Always start off with along the lines, " I know your time is valuable, and I truly appreciate you giving me a few minutes! ".  It's some cold-calling and don't do it on the phone. That is old school.  Make your presence known, stop by, if the decision maker isn't there, make friends with the person you talk to with a personable approach. They will more likely relay the message to whom you want to talk to.  Visit again, and you may get that meeting! 

• Back off:

Sounds conflicting?  What this means, know when to give space when you haven't made any movements in your "cold calling".  You don't want to annoy them!  But have a function that invites them.  Who doesn't like a free drink and socializing?  People are curious! 

• Advertise:

Yes, this is very important.  Even with a definitive date of when in business. This will make you more proactive and accountable of finalizing your plans if you haven't done so already.  Knowing the word is out there.

• Follow through:

Thank the people for attending your events, give them an incentive (discount, referral credit) to spread the word for you.  It is either free or very cheap advertisement for you!

• Keep momentum going:

Repeat the steps.  You may feel exhausted...but who said starting a new business and making it successful was a couch potato job? 

Hanging On By A Thread | Chandra Carlozzi Paige | LinkedIn

Hanging On By A Thread | Chandra Carlozzi Paige | LinkedIn:



What new businesses need to know to be on the path of success.

'via Blog this'

The Invisible Cloak - Anxiety

Anxiety. Every single being has felt this. Your stomach in knots, sudden hot flashes, heart races, skin perspiring and feel clammy, mind races from A to Z then to H and back to A. There is no order, chaos and disarray scattering in different directions so it's nearly impossible to reach for calm to try to pull it back in.

Fortunately, a better portion of us only experience this a few times in our lives. Unfortunately, the latter deal with this all too regularly, even daily. Over time, we can manage not from keeping these episodes from striking, but resist showing all external signs when it happens. We still suffer greatly internally.

We know the thought process is irrational, we are aware how unreasonable our minds can be.  But when this happens, the feeling is too overwhelming to talk ourselves out of it. Time is what helps it subside. If you know someone that suffers from anxiety, remember, they don't always show it. That's where we put our invisible cloaks on. To alleviate the stress it puts upon our surroundings. People that have stage fright but speak publicly often have the cloak on. It is magic because it shows a confident, strong, and eloquently spoken  person. No one would imagine that person is a mess inside just trying to get through the engagement.

The Invisible cloak is also reality. It isn't masking who we are. It is revealing who we really are, the awesomeness of our true personalities, the person we really want people to see. As this represent what we are all about, if you strip away the anxiety.

Don't tell us to calm down, it doesn't help. We know we need to calm down. Give more patience and understanding. Give a little space, it does wonders. You will learn to appreciate all the amazing that we possess. And maybe, just maybe...we will use the invisible cloak less because we won't feel the need to wrap ourselves in one in order for us to keep shining on.

Recipe for a Perfect Italian Meat and Cheese Snack with a Twist!

This isn't a regular blog post.  
Ok, I do love food.  I also love experimenting and creating dishes. 
So I decided to post my favorite go to snack. You can change it up with your favorite Italian meats. 

This is one I put together and have been doing the last 15 years with people always asking if I will bring this or be having this at a gathering.  

What  you need: 
1. Naan bread or similar chewy texture bread of your liking. 
2. Lemon
3. Fresh basil bunch, leaves left whole
4. Creamy Brie, or good Gorgonzola, or both, or any good aged           cheese you love.
5. High quality prosciutto, sliced thin.

• Cut a lemon in half lengthwise. Then slice the lemon halfs in thin (very important part!) slices.
• Pick basil leaves off stems, leaving them whole
• Let cheese get close to room temperature (brings out the true flavor)
• Arrange all on a platter with the prosciutto
• Warm torn pieces of  naan bread (if desired) and place on platter

My traditional way to eat, spread a little cheese on a piece of naan bread, place a lemon slice on top, prosciutto, then top with a basil leaf.  You can use it to keep everything together when you bite                                                       down. 

I am telling you, I grew up in an Italian family, they just had the old fashion traditional way of eating it. I made this twist because I love the chewy texture (hence why I love naan), lemons, basil, cheese, and prosciutto...so why not try it all together.  And it works!!! Gives all your senses taste of happiness.  Very simple, very                                                                 gourmet, very amazing.  

Glass of  Melbec or Cabernet goes well with this.  Also, Sauvingnon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.  Yes, either red or white!
Ciao! Enjoy!!

A Hundred Years

Ever feel like you have lived a hundred years?  Well, don't... unless you have talked to someone that is a hundred and you can compare notes!  I'm guessing, if you tell a person that is a hundred, that you feel a hundred, they will take their arthritis hands and choke you!  Believe me, arthritis can give some people killer grip!  

I at times feel a hundred.  I'm sure you can relate.  You wake up, you just aren't feeling the day, you can't get into the rhythm of things, everything seems to be a misstep, off, or a stone you are trying to skip over the waters and it just sinks.  Yeah, I figured, you know exactly what I mean. When these days are happening upon me (and they happen upon me much too frequently than I'd like to admit), I feel like I am being tested for a reason.  Sometimes at the end of those days, I am disappointed because I expected a random gold star sticker to come out of nowhere, for getting through the day!  

I know, I shouldn't look for that gold star sticker as if it will be handed to me.  I need to make my own gold star!  There is a reason why you and I have these days, and there is a lesson to be learned from them.  It's whether we allow ourselves to learn from them, or just brush it off as just another day that makes it or breaks it.   Brushing it off, causes many more days in our lives that will be just like those days, on top of the many other days that will be  just as frustrating but in different ways.  

I can checklist a day if I really look into it and figure out why I had it.  Break the chains of the vicious cycle.  I don't have to feel like that hamster running in the wheel, not going anywhere and ending up in the exact same place.  I try my best to figure out why I had such a strange day, is there an obvious pattern and if so, what to do to stop it so I don't scream in my pillow over it.  I've gotten better!  It doesn't take 20 similar occurrences to knock some sense into me. I can usually see it by the second time and do the "Whoa, Nelly!" and do the "POW POW POW" putting a cap on that bad ass.  Man, what a rush when I recognize and take action!  Yeah, sometimes just reaching for that pint of Ben and Jerry's and watching sappy movies seems much simpler than attacking the 'demons'.  But it is much easier to attack the demons when they are not budging from the lactose coma I would have put it through.  Then I will have that pint of icecream...that's my gold star!

The Cop Behind You

But officer, it was an emergency...I needed icecream!!

There was a comedian that told a joke about being on the cell phone while driving when a police car pulls up next to him. He instantly drops his phone and says very loudly through clenched teeth, " I have to call you back later! "

And I had to laugh, I have done that one too many times! I even went as far as not even saying anything, so the person on the other end is sitting there not sure if I suddenly got in a hostile environment and could not talk, or if I just decided they were not worthy to speak another word to anymore.

Or if you see a cop pull up behind you, your heart rate rises slightly and you suddenly get a slight nervousness that he will find a reason to pull you over. Or that you have a warrant out there you have no idea about. No matter how good of a person you are, seeing the cop car near you makes you behave like a wanted fugitive. If you didn't have your seat belt on (shame on you!) and they pull up, you keep your body stiff as a board while you sneak your left hand over to slowly pull on the seat belt and very slowly latch it into the buckle, because if you make any upper body movement you will give yourself away.

How about when you are driving and actually not speeding at all, but you see the police car and slow down a little even though there was no law broken. I am now at the point that if the police is driving slower than the speed limit (yes, there are the very few), I will pass them. I am not being cocky. I'm just letting them know, hey, I am not dyslexic, I read the signs and I know how fast I am allowed to go. You don't set the pace for me. The white board with black print does!

I would never make eye contact with them before. We all know we pretend we don't see them when they are right next to us or behind us, because we always drive like the law abiding citizens (lol) whether they are there or not. (Even more LOL)

I do now, I'll even give a little smile. Because after all, they are people too! And maybe they like to be car stalked a little from time to time just like the rest of us!

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Lighthearted but true!!

I do not know my neighbors except for one.  And the only reason why I know him is because we knew each other years ago before we became neighbors.  Do you know your neighbors?  Could you actually tell me what the neighbor 2 houses down first and last name is?  That's what I thought.  Remember the good ole days when the neighbors were friendly?

Now we all stare at each other with doe eyes.  We just figure no one is staying in one place, so why bother getting to know each other when someone will move away!  And we keep finding excuses year after year, and the rare occasions where we stay in the same place for 10 years or more...you think we would know our neighbors then.  NOPE!  Unless you accidentally run over their cat, or they are hoping to borrow that killer power saw they eyeballed when you were doing woodwork in the garage, you won't know your neighbors.  And if you do, you secretly wished they would mind their own business.  I actually couldn't get to know mine.  Because the house next to me on the right and the 3 houses to my left were all empty.  No houses in front of me because it's all empty property for a future park.  


In fact, not once has anyone came over to welcome me to the neighborhood in all the places I moved to!  No basket of homemade cookies or fresh bread.  Heck, a store bought loaf of Wonder Bread would have made me happy! I have gone and introduced myself to my neighbors, just so they knew I was a person.  I have wondered if they heard blood curdling screams from my house if they would even respond?  Or if they have the policy of  "What goes on behind closed doors isn't our business, even if it means some crazy mo fo is chopping up the people in there, it ain't our business!" 

Neighbors sure are not what they once were.  Someone is knocking on the door...I hope it isn't the darn neighbor!  LOL

Animal Behavior of Humans

For the crazy world of employment, can use these techniques in your personal life too. Children and adults respond well to them. It works!! 

No, no...not to be taken so literal!  For the most part, habits, productivities, responsiveness are learned behaviors.  We as human behave the same as animals when it comes to being part of a "pack".  If one is a leader, they set an example for the others to follow.  A poor leader will have a poor performing "pack", an exceptional leader will have an exceptional "pack".  There are studies on peers with peer pressure, and changing their environment ever so slightly, to see how the end results change each time.  Peer pressure has gotten a bad rap for the right reasons, but it also can be a positive reinforcement.  

Are you a role model at work? Are you a positive peer pressure to others?  Some things never change in the work force and personal life.  We react with how others behave around us.  These are proven to greatly improve morale and motivation to do better.

• Acknowledge
• Recognize
• Reward

1. Acknowledge employees and colleagues. When a company has more than several departments or titles, there tends to be a clique on whose jobs are more important and they stay within their tight "pack".

2. Recognize each other, especially if you are in upper management. When someone has done well on a project, or solved a conflict smoothly, recognize. It doesn't matter what department, section, or status you are in the company, everyone is there for the same reason. For the company, as a whole, not for the corner box of the company.

3. Reward those that are consistently going above and beyond.  Reward those that are most improved and work hard. Even a small reward (gift card, a cool coffee mug, extra paid day off, tickets for a show, dinner, etc...) for someone that is doing well, or having to take on a new project out of their comfort zone but does it with grace and professionalism. This is acknowledging, recognizing, and rewarding them at once.  

If you have seen documentaries of animals in the wild and how they behave. It amazed you how they communicate, show authority, understand each other, and understand what is expected of one another.  If they don't want to comply or behave, the leader and the others, show their displeasure.  When they work in harmony, they are all very happy and in tune.  This is learned in their world and we have a similar animal behavior in our world.

Have you seen what it does when you are consistent on all three? If you haven't, then you are doing a poor job on being the best that you can be. What are you waiting for?  

You

Really, if you don't appreciate who you are. Why do you assume others will?

Heart beats to the rhythm of life

A beating heart is a life.

Past, Present, Future...

Don't battle the past, don't resist the present, and do live for the future...

#LetGo

Letting Go and Giving Up have two completely different meanings but are confused often as the same definition.

If I

If I were to tell you I felt weak
Would you lift me up?
If I were to tell you I was scared
Would you hold me close?
If I were to tell you I am vulnerable
Would you shelter me?
If I wanted to cry and let tears fall
Would you wipe them gently away?
If I were to give you my love
Would you turn me away?
If I were to give you my last breath
Would you give me yours?
If I never stop believing
My dreams will come to life...

Risky #Business

A piece I wrote for people thinking about or getting ready to put their start up company in action.  Be careful, it's a tough world put there!

Business Does Not Have To Fail

#Family Day Trip

It's hot. Really hot. 108 degrees hot. We decided to take a drive out of hell and go to Mt Charleston to woo our souls back into us with a bit of cool weather.  An SUV full of people, and 3 dogs. Adventure, right?

Family, ah, such a wonderful sentiment. Unless your family have told one another to go to hell, then maybe not so much! My family today, I have only known less than three years.  But they are family. The definition of family, to me, is not one that you have known your whole life (or if related most of your life), but family is about having each it he's back. Still having fights here and there, being "sent" to hell and woo your way back in. Forgiveness. Love. Support. Knowing what ticks you off (using it to their advantage or fighting a Gladiator battle for you keeping others from doing so). Laughter. Tears. Growing.  All of these come in the package of family.

It isn't easy to keep a family intact all the time and that feat is impossible. Heartaches happen, but only because family is formed with love. Who are in your family? Be grateful. I have my actual family that I am binder with by family tree, of course.  But I have my other "family" too. 

Today, I am happy to be with them on this road trip, 3 hot  breaths panting (the dogs!), while we drive and chat. In the car while we trek out if hell and bring our souls back. How the trip went? Well, it isn't finished yet, I'll let you know who was left behind.  :)

#Sometimes

It's ok to not be OK sometimes. 

#Words

Don't trip over your words. 

Choose them wisely. 

Do the "5 seconds drop" rule. 

Give a moment and think before saying. 

Can save a lot of regrets later!

#Don't

When you lose someone you love and hold close to your heart.  I know they wish they could tell you this. 

Don't

Don't Let tears fall with sorrows of me

If they must

Be of smiles and laughter I give you

Don't have heartbreak that I am not here

Have it beat strong as I am always near

Don't feel weak because you can't hear my spoken words

Have strength for I speak inside your soul

I will be the one that moves the clouds

The ray of light that seems a dream

Giving my love to you

I will never fade

If you doubt that I carry on

Don't

#Hero

#Lost

Keep Going...Don't Ever Give Up. 

#FullPlate

We all say we would kill to clear our full plates and have a little less daily stress.

But when some of it gets swiped clean, and Dawn really scrubbed all the debris away, we go into 

panic mode. Here's what goes on in my head...

"Wow, it's about time I don't have anything to do...so nice!"

"Or do I have things to do?"

"Wait, why would I have nothing to do?"

"I'm bored. What should I do?"

"Am I forgetting something?"

"Great, I bet I have something important that I've forgotten about!"

"Arghhh, I'm so stressed!" 

Have a great day, enjoy the downtime you rarely get and stop cluttering your mind of mindless worries, 

even if only for a little while.... Wait, did I have plans with you?

Bountiful Basket Case of Modern Day Laverne and Shirley

A Humorous Day in the Life Of Unknown Moon Girl

The following is based on a true event. No names have been changed. 

I promised my bestie "Jilly"  I'd go with her at 6:30 this morning to pick up our 

Bountiful Baskets. Woke her up a couple of times around 6, she wouldn't but so

I finally told her we gotta leave. She jumps up, gets ready real quick and get

her keys. She takes one look at me in my unmatching colors of mauve color

sweatpants, a blue shirt, and white gladiator sandals (in my defense it was 

super early on my day off!) and with a horrified expression she

said,"Really...you going like that?". 

I told her I didn't care, and she responded that probably no one would at this

time of morning. I muttered, "Apparently, someone does!".

We get in her car, drive down the street, I turned to look at her and asked if we 

have bags for the stuff. The brakes yields sharply and squeals, the car goes in 

reverse all the way down the block, I run in and get the bags and jump back in

the car. We go to make a right, the car in front doesn't turn even though it's

clear, we honk and yell at it for not being considerate that we are on crunched

time for our pick up time. Finally on our way, we suddenly see a white car zip by

running a red light and at least going 80 mph, we yell, "What's the big hurry

this early in the morning? You're gonna kill someone!". 

Get to our destination, renewed excitement over seeing our produce and fruits

selections for the week. A nice lady gave us her beets as she said her family

dislikes them, how nice of her! (Unless, she was thinking I needed them more

than her after observing my color blind wardrobe pick). We bag them and go to

the car. There's a bloody napkin that mysteriously appears out of nowhere by

our car. We discussed the oddness of this for several minutes (Remember, NO

coffee yet, our brains are clearly lacking intellectually stimulating conversation

needs).

Heading east to go home and there is the most fiery, brightest, and big sunrise

that is happening. The sun looked unusually fake in a perfect and super

ginormous proportion coming over the mountains. It felt like it was burning our

retinas with sunglasses on and sunshade down! We then discussed if it was

possibly an apocalypse sign, (Again, going on less than 4 hours sleep and no

coffee). Get home, take pictures of the food, nod our heads in satisfaction. 

Looked at each other, nodded again...and silently retreated to our rooms to 

crash back to sleep to be ready for coherent and rational thoughts later on.