Unplanned milestone

My car — my little, perfect, never-say-die car — has now reached 200,000 miles. It’s a milestone I didn’t plan, but should celebrate nonetheless. This celebration doesn’t mean I don’t complain about driving it. There’s no hiding the signs of wear, thanks to dirt roads, kids and a teething black lab. However, this car is almost indestructible. The only repairs have been to replace windshields (thanks again to dirt roads), tighten a belt or two and replace the brakes. (There was that little fender bender in our driveway, but I don’t like to talk about that.)

I considered the “cash for clunkers” program, but it didn’t qualify because its gas mileage was too good. Yet another strike…I mean, plus.  So, for the time being, I’ll keep driving it and continue hauling everything from kids to groceries to farm supplies.  Maybe I’ll even officially celebrate with a good scrub-down inside and out — and premium gas on the next fill-up. Not that she would ever ask for premium gas…

Time Management (or the lack thereof)

 

(Guest blog post on www.lifemeetswork.com)

A funny thing happened on the way to my home office. Actually, it’s not all that funny. I’ve lost my knack for time management. Here’s why.

Read more here:  http://www.lifemeetswork.com/blog/blogdetail.asp?sectionID=3&articleID=150

Job title dilemma

(Guest blog post on www.lifemeetswork.com.)

I have lived the “life meets work” philosophy for almost 20 years now. It’s not because I discovered the trend early. I simply married into a farm family. Even in today’s world, farm families have an uncanny approach to integrating work and life. Case in point: New tractors still come with a “companion seat” option, for kids to ride along.

Lately, though, I struggle for an answer when a professional acquaintance asks me what I do. Read more here: http://www.lifemeetswork.com/blog/blogdetail.asp?sectionID=3&articleID=128.

Life meets work

I just discovered an interesting web site that shares my mantra for life — lifemeetswork.com. One stat from the site: More than 75% of workers think work life balance initiatives result in more loyal and efficient employees. Amen to that.

I have been lucky to telecommute for the last nine years, while raising two kids, helping with the family farm, helping with a photo business, etc. You’ve all done it, too — juggling what you can for your family. The idea of “free time” went out the window years ago. But, I have never regretted my choice to give up a little professionally for the work-family balance. In fact, I gotta go. The school bus is coming. The school bus is coming.