Monthly Archives: November 2013

Ripping of the Band-Aid and Scary Things

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“Today is the day” I thought to myself. I’ll just go ahead and get it out of the way first thing in the morning. Then I proceeded to spend the entire rest of the day waiting for the “perfect moment” while simultaneously feeling like I was going to puke and completely tense from the anxiety coursing through my veins.

I kept repeating the line I’d just read from Lean In the day before, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid…” hoping it would make it better.

I knew this was going to be one of the hardest conversations I’d ever had.

I ate my feelings…they tasted like biscuits & gravy for breakfast and nachos for lunch.

By the end of the day I was pacing my office.

The perfect moment never came. I knew I just needed to rip off the band-aid and at 4:55 PM yesterday afternoon, I had both of my bosses in my office with the door closed.

“I was offered a job last week and I’ve decided to take it…”

I blurted it out as fast as I could without making eye contact with either of them.

I was thisclose to ugly crying right in front of them. Yes, there were even actual real tears. We talked some more and while shocked, they are ultimately supportive.

So there you have it. I am leaving the team {more like family} I’ve worked with for the last 7 years for a new opportunity. I am beyond excited and beyond scared. I’m leaving everything comfortable and taking a risk. I’m sure I’ll talk more about it here in the future, but for now, I’m focusing on helping out my current company prepare for an upcoming product launch and tradeshow (and hiring my replacement) for the remainder of the year.

Since the initial offer, while talking to family and close friends about the opportunity I get pumped. Then when left alone with my thoughts, I start freaking out. Of course, now that it’s out in the open it’s gotten better. Though to be 100% honest, I’m still kind of going back and forth.

But then I think of that question again “What would you do if you weren’t afraid…” and I know I’m doing it.

Now the question is I wonder if I’ll be able to incorporate my deer head into my new office space…

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Dinner Disappointment: Crock Pot Mongolian Beef

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For the last four weeks I’ve had the same dish on my meal plan…each week something has come up and I haven’t been able to make it. I came across the recipe on Pinterest nearly 2 months ago when I was searching for a steak recipe. I pinned it knowing for sure it’d be a hit for the family. Today was the day. I made sure I had meat out of the freezer and by 1:30 I had everything in the crock pot ready to go. That should have been my first clue…the crock pot.

I got everyone’s plates ready to go. Andy sat down and started to feed Reese. I came over to the table just as he was taking a little taster of the meat. He kind of made a funny face. That was my second clue. I asked if it was ok…he said he thought so.

As we all settled in at the table and started to eat it became very apparent that this was definitely not a hit. It was…gross to say the least. All we could taste was salt. I covered my plate in ground pepper and was able to eat it as long as I didn’t stop. Andy couldn’t even finish half of it.

After dinner was all cleaned up, I reviewed the recipe to see where I went wrong. I followed it to a “T”…needless to say I won’t be trying that one again.

So, here’s my public service announcement/good deed for the day: do not…I repeat do not try this crock pot Mongolian beef recipe.

Ya welcome.

Hai.

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It’s Saturday. I’ve essentially been up since 4 AM, courtesy of a rotten little toddler who amazingly has hardly napped also.

Ry is staying the night with my sister for the first time.

I’ve got loaded twice baked potatoes and Caesar salad on the menu for dinner and we’ve got popcorn and a movie for later.

Andy and I are planning on making it a stay in date night. Assuming I don’t pass out while he’s putting Reese to bed tonight…because…4 AM.

Long story short: here’s a video of my rotten little kid bring ridiculously cute. Hard to be grumpy when I get to hang out with this all day.

Family Traditions

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I’ve shared here before about how I grew up hunting with my dad. And how it’s a passion I’m hoping to pass down to my girls.

The actual hunting is only a part of it. We don’t hunt for the trophies, we hunt for the meat…as a way to provide for our family. Once the deer is down, the real work begins. Growing up, every year dad got a deer it was the same thing…he’d bring home the deer and hang it up in the shop to cure. A few days later, we’d clear off the dining room table, set up an assembly line and cut and wrap the deer.

When I was Rylee’s age, I was in charge of the tape. I always so bummed all I got to do was the tape. If I was lucky I’d get to help label too. As I got older, and my sisters moved away, I was promoted to wrapper. When Andy came into the picture, he joined in our assembly line. Once we had kids, one of us would be on hand for cut & wrap and the other on kid duty. Sometimes my dad’s siblings will be there to help out. This year, my sister’s boyfriend got to join in the fun while my sister…uhhh…supervised. Our assembly line has changed many times over the years but one thing remains the same: it’s time we all come together and share in a family tradition that I have so many fond memories of.

This year I really looked forward to gathering around the table. This is the first year Rylee has been old enough to participate. After we all ate dinner, Andy took Reese home for bed and Ry stayed with me to help. She was excited and I was excited that she was excited.

We all took our places around the table. She asked Grandad questions about what he was doing.

20131115-154120.jpgShe was the official taper and labeler. She took great care in taping in just the right spot after Aunt Kathy wrapped up a cut.

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Then she took even greater care in labeling each pack. Making sure to write “By Rylee” in case anyone wondered who wrote on it.

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We all had our jobs. We shared laughs. We planted the seed of another beloved family tradition. There are so many things in life that now looking back I didn’t truly appreciate at the time. It’s amazing how appreciation and perspective changes and you get older. I hope that it’s something that when she’s an adult she looks back on as fondly as I do.

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