wise words for wednesday

I was bored at work yesterday, until I found this. Yep, I was being a boring person. Cheers to not being boring this sweltering Wednesday!!

clouds

Yesterday while reading People.com, I came across the story of Zach Sobiech who lost his battle with cancer at the age of 18. While death isn't something out of the ordinary in life, the way he chose to deal with his illness and say goodbye with his song, Clouds, is extraordinary. In the wake of the tragedy in Oklahoma yesterday, and the loss of Zach's precious life, take a few minutes today and watch this video - grab a tissue - and be thankful we have today.

beautiful bike

Yesterday I ranted. So, today I let's send off the week with a lovely ode to National Bike to Work Day and Audrey Hepburn and her beautiful bike!

image source: soanthro.com

red ink

Last night at Old Navy, the lady in front of me was checking out, and while I waited I got really irritated with her as she wrote a check for her purchases. She didn't take any longer than normal and wasn't making a scene, so what was my beef? She was writing her check with a red ink pen. I hate red ink.

I was bad, actually terrible, at math when I was in school. All through elementary, middle, high school and even college I struggled with math and had weekly tutoring sessions. It felt like every homework, quiz or test I turned in came back to me covered in red ink - bad grades, x's, circles around wrong steps or answers. And of course, with those papers came self-confidence that tanked as soon as I saw those papers. I hate red ink.

Now, I realize how this sounds, but nothing good in my life has ever come written in red ink, with the exception of a Valentine's Day card which typically comes on fun colorful paper, so I make an exception there. Even when I was an editor in college I avoided red like the plague - just because there's a mistake or an edit that should be made, it doesn't mean it needs to scream at someone that they're wrong. Now that I work on teams, and when I've lead people at work, I don't even touch a red pen when reviewing projects or even sharing feedback. There are studies that show that red ink immediately puts people on the defensive - read more here. Nothing constructive comes from a piece of paper covered in red ink or teammates feeling they're having to defend their work or feeling negative about your feedback.

My Dad's former boss and mentor has only ever written in green ink. Once I asked him why he did this, and in his thick German accent he told me that no one's feelings were ever hurt by seeing green ink on a piece of paper, even if that message wasn't a positive one. I concur.

At the risk of sounding like some kum-by-ya yahoo, am I the only who's really bothered by seeing red ink anywhere but in a Christmas card? I say we abolish red ink in schools, at work and for anything that remotely has a negative sentiment attached to it. Let's make red ink a positive thing for us all, like pretty red monograms or a "just because" note written in red ink. Who's with me?!

wise words for wednesday

I'm a dweller. I'll stew on something like a big decision, a conversation or an incident, and think about it 20-ways from Sunday before I force myself to let it go. It's not healthy. I'll keep myself awake for hours thinking about different approaches, arguing with myself (not out loud, I swear!), different perspectives...but it's exhausting. But then again, I guess it's because these things are just so dang heavy.

75% kate spade sale

Hello Tuesday!!! I squealed with excitement this morning when I saw this happy news in my Inbox - 75% off from Kate Spade for 2 days only!

Run - don't walk over there - this awesomeness doesn't last forever people! And look at these gems...if we weren't in lock-down save-mode these would all be in my cart (well maybe, just one or two, but you know what I mean!) Each of these is practically perfect for spring

congrats grads (and moms & dads)

My sister, Hannah, graduated from college this weekend, and I could not have been more proud of her than the very moment she walked across that stage on Saturday to accept her diploma. She's worked so very hard from high school graduation to Outstanding Senior Nominee...Way to go Hannah!

Not to mention, it was my Mom's birthday that same day - talk about an awesome birthday gift!

         

Hannah's adorable beau, Dustin and his parents helped us celebrate this awesome day as well...

And here's the whole family - it was a wonderful weekend of celebration of achievement, birthdays, oh yeah, and Mother's Day too!

wise words for wednesday

I'm attending an in-depth supervisor development training this week for work. And this quote came out of yesterday's training, and I couldn't help but think about how true it is across all facets of our lives, not just at the office.

Last week, I had an amazing conversation/experience with my favorite manager-now friend, Heather from Fiery & Opinionated, and it made me stop and think of what an amazing job she does getting to the heart of people, not just as manager, but as a friend too.

All in all- it's the heart that matters most!

apple blossom recap

We've survived another wonderful Apple Blossom weekend. As I mentioned last week, it was a weekend full of pink & green outfits, fun with friends, party hopping, fireworks, parades and amazing spring weather! Here are some snapshots from the weekend's fun -

24 is lookin' good

Today my little sister turns 24! Yes, this lovely young lady on the right is officially in her mid-twenties. Hannah, 24 is lookin' good so far! Cheers to hoping this year is as full of as much fun and serious adventure as the last year was!