Friday, December 7, 2012

Undercover Boss

My mom introduced to this reality type show dubbed Undercover Boss.  I don't seem to catch it on television when I am home, but when I go to visit there seems to be a marathon on every time (holidays mostly).  So, I have only caught a few intriguing episodes.  I do not have criticism of the show, but after seeing episodes here and there for the last year, I have experienced a personal revelation that along with an special email today I received from the Founder/Owner of a company I give my heart and time to, I felt I should get my blog updated, moving forward, and reintroduced with this topic in mind.

I noticed something about the companies on Undercover Boss that is an extremely different scenario where I now work and something which I am joyfully grateful.  For the show to work, the boss- whether owners or CEO- have to be unrecognized by the employees they shadow for a day.  As each episode wraps, the boss is revealed undisguised and generously offers a gift to the blessed shadowed employee. It appears to me, even after being revealed, most of the employees do not recognize or know the boss in the slightest.  Thus, why the show works so well with cloak-and-dagger appeal.  However, it is exactly clandestine if the boss is so far removed the employees wouldn't recognize him/her/them anyways.

This is where my revelation occurred.  I know Cindy Monroe and many of the key players in the Home Office.  Ok, I do not "know" any of them.  We are not friends and I do not work even remotely close to the building they work in (though I was raised nearby).  However, the grand leaders of this company are extremely visual.  I know their faces, their voices, their fashion, and a little about their families.  They are featured in ads, articles, training materials, videos, social media; they are on conference calls with me and attend national events I wouldn't miss.  Today I received an email from Cindy Monroe, the founder of this company that has changed my life.  I got teary-eyed, excited, joyful, amazed when I saw it.  I printed out the email to heart palpitations and about fell out of my swiveling chair.

A few unknown people could stake out one of my training meetings and I wouldn't know they were from the Home Office; however I feel quite blessed knowing I know the company leadership well enough they couldn't possibly walk in a room undercover.  Now that speaks volumes to me about the length they go to in order to care, celebrate, train, and invest each and every one of us.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

HUGE Disney Prize Pack Giveaway

HUGE Disney Prize Pack Giveaway

Delayed

"Sometimes you are delayed where you are because God knows there's a storm where you're headed.  Be grateful."  I saw this quote on pinterest this morning and thought it says it explains a moment or two in life.  I often feel delayed, stuck, and unsettled.  I'm content, but don't always move forward at the speed I would really like.  Every day my husband begins and ends with job searches (he's a government employee; previous military; traveled with and was part of the protection detail to the Bush Administration; 50% disabled veteran; and he cannot get a decent job).  Applying for new jobs, updating previous ones, calling when he was not referred.  It's like looking through one of those carnival tunnels that spin and you are still standing at the entrance timing your rhythm before you step into the twist and excitement of the ride.  When you made that decision from "why wait?" and after years you're still standing in line with your ticket in hand, well enough said, I'm impatient. 

Yet, we have turned down a few offers because it just didn't seem right.  It wasn't where we wanted to go...a completely different direction.  My husband gets upset by this "missed opportunities" and says we are taking the next one no matter what (not gonna happen).  I am just a point A to B kind of person and sway him to stick to the path we decided quite often (we have notes in the kitchen that show our compromise to each other so we stick to it, no confusion).  He, however, is okay if there are points A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I,...Z to reach the final destination.  All too often I read stories of death and devastation to the areas we could have moved.  I find it quite remarkable that this places even exist in the United States.  Though, I am delayed, I am quite grateful that me and my family were not there and did not have to face such incredible challenges each day.  God does delay us for a reason and well, my instinct comes from somewhere. 

Sunday, June 10, 2012

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

It's raining this Sunday morning and I am quite certain the hurt and anguish the previously known as members of Real Life Hartwell have caused this dreary day.  I've awoken early to celebrate the sunrise, but the clouds are not providing a breakthrough.  Being around so many people who feel sad, abused, let-down, and broken by what I now consider a false prophet from what was our Texas leadership is a difficult task when I feel it in myself and feel their pain.  I sought out an early glimmer of hope this morning and tried to look on "Pastor" (I use the term loosely) Micah Davidson's facebook and twitter page.  Without having posted any direct reference to him and his "church" (little c used quite intentionally), I find I have been removed and blocked.  For a moment, I was taken aback upon realizing he didn't just close our Church without notice, he has flat out crossed us out of his life as if we never existed; never to be seen or heard from again.  So, I got to thinking...

How does a Pastor get his "power" anyways?  Like a lawyer can be disbarred, so must a pastor.  Where do you file an ethics complaint against a Pastor?  He thinks this little town won't and can't do.

I pray for the members of his church that they seek the real light and know the truth.  A Shepherd cannot lead a flock when he is killing his own sheep. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Her Birthday Suit

It has been a tough week and all of us have been a bit temperamental this week.  It hit me after reading another blog about a Disney trip that my blog can become or rather is the diary of the new age, albeit public.  So, after an emotionally charged week it just seemed to all settle as the day came to a close.  Earlier in the day after Brian lent his "man's perspective" I gave myself and my pastor the day off and chose to bug about the Church matters as little as possible.  Elena and I went to swim lessons at a lovely neighbor's house and stayed to talk and play for an extra 90 minutes.  I needed that.  I told Elena that on the drive over and she just "got" it and performed beautifully in the pool.  She even jumped off the diving board and swam the pool length today!  She is amazing and fearless!  Quick snack at home and then we headed to the park where after a nice long dragging-her-by-toenails walk, we picked blackberries growing near the path.  It was only about 4:30 pm when we returned home but it just felt like the day was done at that point.  Dinner, bath, and bed.

My head was pounding so by 8pm this summer's eve we were tucking in.  Then my little chatterbox daughter starts her questions and wants to know all about what she did before she was born.  What did she eat?  Did she sleep?  Did it hurt me when she kicked my belly?  Did she like to swim?  Was she ticklish? What color were her eyes?  What did she wear?  I answered all her questions with tickles and giggles and we had a joyous conversation remembering snuggled up under the blankets.  I love my Elena.  When it is all said and done she is still just great!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

It all happened on Bluebird Lane

First Blog Ever!  I don't know what has been holding me back because wow, easy!  On Monday I gave a team seminar about extending your technology reach and of course, having a blog, was on the list.  I had not even created my own yet and here I was preaching about it.  I am definitely a do-as-I-do kind of girl and want to set the stage for success.  I chose Blogger because it is one of the most popular website of the current day and the top blog spot.  I chose the name Bluebird Lane as that is where I live and it seemed a perfect name given the place I hope to enlighten a following. I have had so many topics in my mind to give my blog a theme and since most of those thoughts occur in my home on Bluebird Lane, it just seemed fitting.  Talk about Training My Husband (and the explosive failure it reigns); talk about my Life Experience in rearing a child (or the other mom's I interact with); or my plans as a leader and mentor in direct sales (boring, right); or my experiences in my faith (because talk about bombshells).  So many ideas-how do you choose one?  Whatever I talk about in the future, it all happened on Bluebird Lane.

With that said, here are my feelings today and well, yes, they were first posted on fb. Not to worry, I do not plan on cross posting often.  I just already said it all the best way I know how.

This morning feels slow and rainy.  My soul aches for the Truth and Community. The small towns around me appear more as tiny islands without modern amenities.  Disconnected.  I am already trying to move on, move forward.  The places I rested my faith are dislocated and feel so sore I just want to bend down to the floor and remain there.  Only one Trinity remains and it is my pursuit of such that leads me forward.  Dreams of broken green glass and tumbling rocks lend to personal truths upon waking.  It isn't always in my time, but His plan.  There is an opportunity to explore and practice acceptance. Show yourself.