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finding time to be grateful

The past week has been one of the most stressful times of my life – leaving in the middle of the night to collect my husband from a hospital in Illinois; driving back and blowing a tire in the middle of nowhere; spending money that was earmarked for something else to pay for four new tires; husband getting much, much sicker; stress driven trip to the emergency room; emergency surgery; four long days in the hospital and lots of family visits (from his side). Stressful.

Stressssful.

My plate was (and still is) full. I  feel as if I can’t add one more iota of caring to it.

I find myself getting wrapped up in that feeling and (can we be honest) it makes me a short-tempered. Yet, I truthfully have much to be thankful for:

1. For a husband who is on the mend.

2. For amazing sisters-in-laws, who thought to look out for me.

3. For amazing, giving parents, who jumped in with no questions asked and made things easier for the husband and I. And who disinfected my whole house – not once but twice – to make it safe for the husband to come home. And who watched my dogs while I was away and spent hours with them, knowing how much I needed for them to be okay.

4. For having my husband at home. Finally.

5. For an understanding boss, who let me take whatever time I needed and hardly ever nagged about a major grant due less than a week away.

6. For a loving family who cared and who was there.

7. For a sister-in-law who filled the fridge with food that the husband could eat.

8. For a step-son and brother-in-law who helped husband up those damn stairs.

9. For workman’s comp, who will be paying for this huge mess.

10. for my husband – who held me when I freaked out and who is here to hold me at night.

I don’t know if my plate will get less full by remembering those things – I hope so. I hope it will make my plate a little bit bigger because I don’t like myself like this. I like myself much better when I find room to care about others, when I make room to put myself in other people’s shoes.

I like myself better when I can see beyond my own small circle.

2011 11 16 getting through the day
meanderings
real life Comments (0) Permalink

A few tips for job seekers

So, recently (and thankfully), I placed a post for a new Development and Special Events Specialist.  It’s basically a special events person with some regular development assistant stuff thrown in.  It’s a great opportunity for both the person whom we will hire and for me.  It’s been a long process to get to the hiring stage – and a long time was spent weeding through resumes and interviewing.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve received 3 resumes. The issue is that the application deadline was July 30th. Almost a month later, and I’m still getting resumes? Really?  Come on folks.  So, if you’re reading this and wanting to work for a nonprofit – I have a few tips for you:

  1. Pay attention to the deadline.  This is so critical in nonprofit work – especially in nonprofit fundraising.  The date is there for a reason.
  2. Spell my name correctly. This is especially true since my name is spelled correctly in the ad.
  3. Use my name.  I don’t know which is worse – spelling my name wrong or putting “To Whom It May Concern” (um, that would be me – the person who’s listed as the contact person) or “Dear Human Resources Manager” (who the f*** is that?)
  4. Use the correct position name – and certainly don’t say “the position you advertised”. We currently have 3 ads posted and referring to the correct position is a good thing.
  5. Read the directions.  Please give me what I’m asking for.  I know everyone says this, but in fundraising, it’s especially true.  You need to meet the needs of a donor.  If you can’t meet my needs, why would I believe that you could meet the needs of donors?  As stated in the ad, incomplete applications will not be considered. ‘nuf said.
  6. No phone calls actually means no phone calls.
  7. Research the company the you’re trying to work for – my company has a website, Facebook page, LinkedIn profile, Guidestar, etc. Research me – I’m pretty easy to find as well. Find out what makes us tick and you’ll be better prepared to answer questions. And may I point out how important Guidestar is for figuring out what to put as a salary? If I only make $x and I’ll be your boss, the likelihood that you will make more than I is slim to none.  If you need that high of a salary, please save my time and yours and don’t apply.
  8. Use my name.  Oh, wait, did I already say that?  Well, it deserves repeating.  Use my name!!!

And, yes, the person whom we hired did all of this.

Thank goodness.

2011 08 31 nonprofit web
real life
work Comments (1) Permalink

wasting time

One of the things that I’ve been struggling with – for at least the past five years or so – is how to balance work and not let it take over my time off.  The truth is that I love what I do for a living – nothing to me is as fulfilling as raising money for a cause that does great work.  I enjoy the challenge of it, the creativity it requires, and the opportunity to do lots of things and not just always focus on one task. And I feel a lot of responsibility – if I don’t do it well, there are people who suffer because of it. And, if I may be so honest, nothing bugs the crap out of me more than people who feel that they only have to put in 40 hours and that any time over that is asking too much. (Hello – you have a job and your job isn’t done until it’s done and if that means more than 40 hours than so be it. Quit yer bitchin’)

For all of those reasons plus the fact that hubby is gone during the week means that many nights you can find me working – trying to cut down just a little bit on the to-do list for the next day.

But after an amazingly hectic June, I decided to reward myself with a Kindle.

beautiful kindle
Ah, the beautiful Kindle. I did not know how much you would remind me of how much I love reading and wrapping myself up in someone else’s world.

Yes, I thought of buying an iPad or tablet or even a Nook.  I debated and played for a long time (for me – which means not as long as my dad would have, but several weeks). And ultimately, decided to go for the Kindle.

And I am in love. I love that when I look at it, I don’t feel as if I”m looking at another computer screen (which I fear would just make me feel as if I need to be working instead of slacking). I love that I can read it outside and not have trouble seeing the screen. I love that it takes a nanosecond to download a new book. I love all of the samples that I can read before I decide what to buy. I love the number of $0.99 books. (I have probably bought and read 20 books in the last 4 weeks – more than I read all of last year.) I can’t stop singing it’s praises.

I’m sure that I’ll revert soon to my workaholic ways, but for now – if you don’t see me, I’m off reading a new book.

 

 

Or window shopping on Etsy.com.  As you may remember, my birthday is coming up soon. And really what’s a great birthday without buying yourself (or making yourself) a gift as well?

Well, I’m off to start another book …

2011 07 12 my favorite things Comments (0) Permalink

hello, my friend

sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step … so this is that step. i make no promises about balancing my life, not working late at night, posting often, etc. I just promise to say “hello” every now and then.

2011 06 11 getting through the day
real life Comments (0) Permalink