HANDLING LIFE'S GLITCHES!

How do you handle the little "glitches" in life? I was trying to have an philosophical discussion with a couple of colleagues about how an event can still be great even with a few "glitches". The response received-well my event was perfectly organized and planned and there were no glitches at all! Hum! As the mother of the bride on two wonderful occasions, all the planning and organizing did not account for a couple of little glitches-mostly with someone at the wrong table at the hall and people not showing up that had said they would come! All manageable and the bride did not know! The point I was trying to make was life can be great with glitches! I am not someone who needs perfect nor am I a perfectionist! A perfectionist actually is one of the anxiety disorder types and very annoying to others around him or her! Often in life our critics will always point out our little imperfections anyway! So with aging and maturity I have learnt not to take it personally nor get defensive! There will always be people who like to criticize or find your glitches! I remember when Natasha and I were planning her wedding. One of the event planners at one of the halls told us a story about the wedding cake of one bride. When she called the cake business a few hours before the reception was to begin and she was told the bride and groom had looked at a cake and had picked one tentatively. The groom was supposed to get back to the store to confirm the order but had not! Wow- a huge glitch for the bride-great planning but a glitch! So the hall made a deal with the store. A frozen slab of cake was hauled out of their freezer and the decorator did her thing- 3 hours later the cake arrived at the hall. The bride of course said her wedding was "perfect" unaware of any glitches! Life can have people around you that run interference for you! Oh yes, anyone that knows me is always impressed by my organizational skills and abilities. Thinking, planning and doing-many things get accomplished in my life! The other organizational skill I have is to let it go when the event happens. Whether it is a dinner party or a trip- sit back and let the process happen! Of course you know what I am going to say- no event in my life needs to be perfect to be fun, wonderful and memorable! Try to anticipate the "glitches" but if unpreventable you can either cry, yell or laugh! Well we all know laughter is good for the soul!  

NANA SAYS BE KIND TO WORKING PARENTS

As I see my daughters and spouses cope with the fulltime jobs and parenting, I am reminded of the days I too faced the stress of a 16 hour day before collapsing into bed. Then starting again the next morning with early risings and preparation. Organization skills were in top form. Bags by the door; lunches in the Fridge and lists of what needed to be done that day. Grandparents are the support team as well as aunts, uncles, friends and even some neighbours. Finding others to help with car pools for lessons can be a big help. Other times and cultures had generations living under the same roof so the support was in the home. Independent nuclear families come with perks and downbacks. Having family nearby but not in the home is a positive option. Adolph and I are the backup for Day Care pickups. Others have a special day at the Market or Saturday night sleepovers to give the parents a break. How are you coping as a working parent? Have you checked out all the support you need? Do you have family members you can trust? It seems like it will last forever, but like everything else in life it will change and those little dependents will become more independent, making their own way!

NANA SAYS STARTING UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE IS A NEW CHALLENGE

As Fall quickly approaches, the preparation to go to post-secondary locations brings many challenges and energy to families. For some students it will be a daily commute from home and others moving away for the first time. Finishing summer jobs, waiting for final government approval of student loans, organizing a course schedule begins weeks before the first day. Those preparing to live away from home have copious lists of items needed to survive. Trips to household/kitchen stores to buy the rudimentary items for those students. Buying the books new or used can take hours. Of course the Frosh week plans at every educational institution have been months of planning. The child has become an adult exposed to an adult world very quickly. It changes the family dynamics considerably. No matter how ready everyone thinks they are, there are unspoken emotions rumbling inside. To those parents facing this challenge, hang tight!

ORGANIZING FOR THE WORK WEEK

Mondays are always transition days from the weekend. To keep my mood positive, Sunday night is an opportunity to strategize what the week may entail- any special events, late meetings, need to shop for gifts and the normal week. Finishing little tasks help to bring some control in what may be ahead. I usually fold all the laundry done on the weekend- it is laundry catch up! This time of year is the challenge of changing the seasonal clothes but keeping some outfits in case the weather is chilly. So my side of the closet is organized- will be tackling Adolph's side within the week. Too cool for cottons but too warm for wooleys! Typical Canadian weather! Must be prepared for all! Some bills paid- Adolph can go to the bank with them. Not quite trusting of paying everything online yet but do have a lot that are preauthorized! I find this organizing helps me find the positive side of work life. By organizing my life and my thoughts, it is a real mental preparation despite whatever may be happening in my personal life. Does organizing the little things help you with your life? There are too many things I can not control but there are small tasks that keep me grounded. Do you have some tasks? I know people who have dogs, must walk the dogs so it helps with exercise and purpose. Is it a purpose or a drag? Do tasks help you find the positives in your life? I ironed a pile of Adolph's tops and when I saw it this morning there was a sense that something was accomplished- sounds silly but it gave me pleasure. Do you find pleasure in these normal activities of daily living?