Work put on a women’s conference the last few days and the buzz phrase has been “Work/Life Integration” rather than “Work/Life Balance”.  This isn’t to say that you should integrate work into your life but more that your life should be integrated into your work.  A perfect example happened for me today.  They were having a Halloween Parade at daycare and I needed to leave work at 3:45 in order to get there on time and participate.  I got all my work done and could do this, so I did.  Integrating my life into work.

I’m so glad I went.  Where else would I get to see this?

There were some really amazing points made today that I want to capture.  I think the one that struck home with me the most was “Know what you CAN do and know what you WILL do.” there is a difference.  I could have made Lucy’s costume but I found it online and love how it turned out.  I could have made it but I will buy it (and DID!).

Another powerful point was do what you need to do to not feel guilty.  That doesn’t mean doing everything and doing it perfectly.  It means that you have to pick your battles and decide what is really important to you.  If you’re going to feel guilt about not doing something or doing something then make the right decision.  I would have felt guilty had I not gone to Lucy’s Halloween party, so I went.

Another aspect that I struggle with is that I need help.  I can’t do everything myself and that’s okay.  Even if it means it won’t be up to my standard. Shaun gets Lucy ready in the morning.  Sometimes that means that she goes to daycare with buttons not buttoned and sock that aren’t exactly right.  In the long run, who cares?  I’m sane.

There were many other fantastic points made but the last two that I want to talk about had to do with me time and us time.  Make time for it.  Make time for me and make time for us-Shaun and I. I always said that I would do this and I really haven’t.  Shaun and I have been on 3 dates in the last 13 months.  We need to work on that.  I also need to work on taking time for myself.  I’ve gotten better but I really HATE to be away from Lucy.  I feel like I’m already away from her so much during the week but I also know that I’m a better Mommy if I get some me time.  I go to Knit Night every Wednesday night and I’m trying to do something every weekend for a few hours just for me.  Sometimes that only means a bath but hey, it’s better than nothing.

Isn’t my little fairy princess adorable?

Exciting Delivery

So, I got my exciting delivery.  Maybe these will illustrate what it was?

Coffee? Nope. Guess again! This may help…

Did you figure it out? Do you think a point and shoot camera could do that? NO!  I got a new DSLR camera!!!!  It came today right when I had meeting and then I had the conference.  Starbucks was the first chance I had to play around with it and then I used it in the pictures of Lucy above. I love love LOVE it and can’t wait to see what it can do.  My fancy schmancy lens comes tomorrow.  Yay pretty pictures!