H is for....

Gosh it's been a while since I shared a post...and I'm glad to be back.  This entry is an "ode to the title" of this blog, so I suppose it's perfectly fitting.  It's a Juggle Out There:  Family & Work & Wellness....so very true!

H is for hustle bustle.  This past month has been quite the crazy!  October---or as I called it, "WALKtober*"---consumed me and I found myself a little overwhelmed.  I've said before that I don't think I'm unique, I don't think my life is any crazier than anyone else's, and even if it is, it's not a competition.  I compete with myself, which means I get to write the rules.  And this past month, I made up some new ones.  One of the most important rules was to give myself some slack, protect what matters most and be more present.  So the dust bunnies grew bigger, my wellness took a little bit of a backseat, all of the summer deck things aren't put away and my office is totally unorganized.  Did a few things not get done?  Sure---if you could see the desk from where I'm writing, you'd understand (can you say "File by Pile" theory!?  Yeah, I'm totally embracing that art!!) what I mean.  But here are a few things that did happen....

H is for hours--and lots of them.  As we roll into October, I offer Mark and Abby a blanket apology for, what I call, the "Sorry Season."  Seems there's a lot of, "I'm sorry, I'm going to be a little late" or "I'm sorry, I forgot x, y or z" going around.  And that's more about me feeling that way than it is Mark and/or Abby putting that on me.  I try so hard--maybe too hard---to make things "perfect" and so when I get a little off my game (which is really, totally normal!!) I feel like I owe them an apology.  Silly, I know.  In any event, H is for the hours I spend working on the Walk, being away from home and even, being "away" when I'm sitting right next to them on the couch.

You May Kiss Your Bride!

H is for Happy Anniversary---our 10th!  Mark and I hit a major marriage milestone this October.  We spent the weekend celebrating and reminiscing with a visit to Fallingwater and an awesome dinner at a new eatery.  It was fun to spend time just the two of us and take a breather from the busy time of year.  It's easy to forget how important it is to do that in the race to cram something amazing into every single second.  My favorite part of our weekend wasn't the fancy dinner, it wasn't the tour of the beautiful home and grounds of Fallingwater, it was the goofy conversation and laughter in the car and our spontaneous stop at Cracker Barrel (of all places!) for breakfast.  Being with him, being us!

The beautiful Fallingwater

Ten Years Later...

H is for Heart Walk (*hence "WALKtober").  As a Development Director for the American Heart Association, my main role is to raise funds to fight heart disease--our nation's #1 killer.  Our most critical fundraiser is our Heart Walk which takes place in the fall.  Over 10,000 people join us on a crisp (okay, some would say cold!) fall morning and walk the beautiful north shore of Pittsburgh.  Together we raise over $1,600,000...that doesn't happen overnight, and it sure doesn't happen without an incredible list of supporting characters.  

Three Generations at the Walk

I personally manage about 20 of our 100 companies including two large retail organizations, which means I spend a great deal of time in the car, criss-crossing the city meeting with my clients.  Whether I'm collecting donations, supporting a fundraiser, explaining our online resources and tools or saying a heartfelt thank you, I'm on the front lines day in and day out.  And it matters...and it works.  Last Saturday, we had an incredible event and I, personally, doubled my own fundraising goal thanks to fantastically generous friends and family.  If you want to know or learn more, check out our event here: Pittsburgh Heart Walk   

H is for hassle.  On the way home from work the Wednesday before the Walk, I was rear-ended by a knucklehead too busy on his phone to notice that I was oh, I don't know...IN FRONT OF HIM!  Minding my own business one second, then BAM.  I'm fine, car's relatively fine, but the hassle.  Yeesh!  An hour and a half later, I was on my way home to launch the process of dealing with insurance and all that jazz.  Good stuff, right?    

The Girls

H is also for Hallowboo--a fun day of Trick or Treating and rides at a local amusement park.  This year, it was more Hallowbrrrrrr than Hallowboo, but I suppose you only notice that if you're older than 10.  We met up with one of Mark's good friends from college and her family--they have a daughter just 10 days older than Abby and a little boy, too!  We had a great time catching up, watching the kiddos play and riding some rides.  And we had some of the BEST kettle corn I've ever had!

A few days later, it was Halloween:  The Real Deal!   Thanks to our Good friends (that's actually their last name, and it couldn't be more fitting!), Abby donned a lion costume and hit the streets of Sandywood despite the chilly, rainy weather.  One hour and 20 houses later, my little lion looked up at me, her marker-ed nose smeared by raindrops, and asked if we could be all done.  I tried to hide my enthusiasm when I answered in the affirmative.  She was more than happy to come home and check out her haul while we warmed up in front of the fireplace and read stories about ghosts and witches and goblins.  And that was just fine by me!

H is for happiness and heart and home...pretty much all synonyms truth be told.  And if not synonyms, they're at the very least all inextricably linked.  My happiness is my home, my home is my heart and I am so grateful to be starting November this full of joy.  As the month goes on, I know that feeling will only intensify--who doesn't want more joy!?  From friends and family, and the grace they've shown me during a busy time, to the clients (both Heart and Beachbody) who continue to inspire me and drive me to do and be my best...I'm thankful for them all.

Finally, H is for here.  And the promise I'm making to be more here each and every day.  It's not always easy, it's a conscious effort most days, but I'm working really hard to be here.  To be present.  To be in the now.  Speaking of which, it's time to make some pancakes for Abby.  She's up, it's breakfast time...that's what's NOW!

Thanks for catching up with me.  I'll do my best to not have it be so long until we do it again.