Today we celebrate Thanksgiving... a day when most Americans will eat turkey, drink copious amounts of alcohol, watch football and parades, and hopefully at some point stop to reflect on the things we have to be thankful for in this world. It's what I'll be doing today. The thing is, I do this every day in some small way. And we all should, as it leads to a richer existence. I've learned to be happy, not simply content, with what I do and don't have. It's a lesson learned and a perspective gained that I am so thankful for above all else. Are there things I want? Sure. Are there people or relationships I would like to be different? Certainly. But there is something to be said for accepting the things I cannot change and taking control of the things I can. No, I didn't learn this in AA, but should I need it someday I will at least be ahead of the game. I do believe the key to happiness is acceptance and appreciation. What am I talking about? Well in the spir...

I admit, patience is not one of my virtues. It's hereditary. Although in recent years I have dealt with situations in a way that has me beginning to think it may become my greatest. This, from a person who plans the most efficient route out of the airport and approaches it as a time-saving game I must win -- 1 hour, 16 minutes from touch down to driveway last Thursday. New record. This, from a person who is already living in the house I have not yet purchased and putting the baby down for night-night in her crib. In my imagination of course, which is tired of waiting for my life to catch up. Starting with my relationship. Seven years, and I'm still identifying myself as a "Ms." In hindsight, my patience was a blessing. Had we married two or three years into our relationship we would likely be divorced or unhappily joined in matrimony feeling trapped in a loveless existence. Because we didn't know ourselves. Nor how to communicate. Today, we rule the kingdo...

Once upon a time there was a rental car company that outdid the rest -- clean, nice cars, well dressed agents, and superior customer service. Somewhere along the way, they became sickly sweet, overly polite, entirely too detailed, badly disguised sales people in monkey suits. And they annoy the shit out of me. I'm talking about Enterprise. We'll pick you up...and tell you our life story, ask awkward personal questions, try to slyly upgrade you by showing you your "options" and failing to note what class they fall into while tricking you into buying additional coverage by asking if you want the "basic" coverage (which actually costs you more). Just give me my car, please. While I hate the name, I think I'll stick with Budget. Or not go at all. The more I travel, the more I love Atlanta.

Inspiration visits less frequently when busy. It doesn't like to be put in a box. These past few weeks I've been so focused on getting it done that I seem to have lost my desire for what if and why. There's a lot rolling around in my head, and no one idea can seem to make it's way out. In all fairness there's a lot going on in my head these days, and with it also being swollen from the ceiling fan accident a few months ago (dumbest. fucking. thing. I. ever. did.) it's hard to make sense of anything other than checks in boxes. Which I'm really good at doing. Checks in boxes, that is. Take for example, last night. I got home after a full day of making lines through tasks to find my boyfriend down and out and sickly. Well, seeing as our plans to design costumes were shot, I decided to clean the house (all of it), do the laundry (all of it) and prepare a homemade Pumpkin and Roasted Butternut Squash soup.  And I did pilates while the floors dried. Yesterd...

I spent the first half of my week exercising my brain and working to revolutionize the staffing world with a fabulous client. I've spent the latter half bruising my knees, making silly faces and giving raspberry's till my lips were numb, chasing my 11-month old niece around. Both very busy but in very different ways. It's Saturday, and I got up at 7:45. I don't think I got up this early all week, less flight days. I definitely don't do conference calls before 10am. But I had no problem waking to expend more energy in three hours than I do most days to play with her. While my trip is short, and bundled with a conference in the city, it's a refreshing break from the adult world to cuddle and be silly with a precious little one. The perfect way to ease stress during this busy time of year. And even though it meant juggling 100 balls and working after she went to bed last night in order to be here and spend some quality time, it was immediately all worth...

Busy busy busy week ahead. Three, count 'em, three days with the client for some hard core strategery. Immediately followed by a morning of doctor's appointments and an afternoon of conference calls. Then hoping a plane again, this time to Philly, for a conference this weekend, precluded by a little family time with my growing-up-way-too-fast-while-I'm-not-there niece. I may or may not get to blogging, depends on the availability of wifi on my airplanes. And my ability to keep my eyes open. Thankfully I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend with great friends, and I'm about to cap it off with some Pumpkin Curry soup (recipe courtesy of L. Rutherford) and grilled cheese. Can't think of a better way to prepare.

I spend a lot of time convincing people I have their best interest at heart. When you work for an advertising agency, or any service provider for that matter, you typically take on the role of "vendor" -- such an ugly word -- in new client relationships. This classification infers that you a) charge too much, b) aren't trustworthy, and c) only know what you're talking about when your client says you do. I've struggled with this from day one. And I've been doing it 13 years. As a service provider, aren't you hired for your expertise? Isn't the goal to partner with the client for the best possible mutual outcome? I know this. And the clients with whom I have cultivated relationships with over the years know this, too. But when presented with new clients (or even worse, thrown into current clients who hate us where it's my job to save the business) it can be a real challenge to achieve partnership status. I can't simply walk in there and s...