Plans

I was going to post this as it happened, but decided to write as it happened and post once the final decision had been made. Here it goes:

I’m an event planner. I like to have everything planned out and detailed. Excel spreadsheets, calendar reminders, binders, lists, sticky notes they are all my friends. And, are very helpful when I am planning events - at work, this is the way it should be and for the most part it works well.

Life – real life – that is a different story…it happens just when you think that you have it figured, something happens to change it. Good, bad or just unexpected something comes up and your plans change. I’ve always been a fly by the seat of my pants type of girl…It has served me well and I have had a lot of fun doing it, but when I have made plans they don’t seem to work out. 

Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. - John Lennon

Life is something that happens when you can't get to sleep. - Fran Lebowitz

Man makes plans, and God laughs. - Yiddish proverb

Yup, those are 3 of my favorite HAHAHA you thought it was going to happen like that quotes. I’ve had a plan and I thought it was pretty good. I changed that plan last year after my grandmother passed away I thought it was time for me to move closer to my parents. Make sure that they are taken care of – nope they didn’t ask, but it was something I felt like I should do. I have on and off applied to jobs, but nothing serious and nothing steady. I was planning on taking my CMP in mid July and starting to work on my CEM and figured when that was complete I would get serious.

Prior to this plan I really really wanted to move to Nashville. I love that city – the people, the southern charm, the farms, music, and artistry…did I mention the people? It is just a great city with a small town feel. Well, I applied to a job kind of off the cuff – well truth is I have been applying to jobs on and off there as well as in New Hampshire.  So, I applied to this job and the next day (not even 12 hrs later) I have a phone call from the HR recruiter and 2 hours later I was on the phone with the VP. Then a plane ticket and in person interview on the following Friday (7/13 – Friday the 13^th might be on new favorite day J).

I’ve waiting on week to hear back from the company in Nashville – during this time I have had an interview with a company on Mass. On Friday (7/20 – what is it with Fridays?) I heard back from both companies, I have a second interview with the hiring manager in mass and a follow up interview with the company Nashville. I have a growing feeling in the pit of my stomach that I am going to have to make a difficult decision.  Follow the new plan or the old plan.

We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. - Joseph Campbell

Life is full of surprises and serendipity. Being open to unexpected turns in the road is an important part of success. If you try to plan every step, you may miss those wonderful twists and turns. Just find your next adventure-do it well, enjoy it-and then, not now, think about what comes next. - Condoleeza Rice

I was up in Mass for the weekend visit with the Family when the offer came in – the job in Nashville. I hadn’t heard back from the company in Mass, but they said it was going to be a slow process. Then came an unexpected a job offer from a company in Yakima, WA…An old co-worker wanted me to join his new company’s startup team. I could work remote from anywhere, but it was in marketing. No, events and less travel – more time for life. I was torn as to what I should do and what was the best option. Did I really want to give up the travel and events for a more settled job?

Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.  - Ellen DeGeneres

The answer: NO. I like the travel. I like the benefits and freedom it gives me. And, we were told we could have it all life and career - I’m not ready to give on that up. I’m not lost in the woods so I’m not going to follow anyone else’s path.

As, I write this I have a 6 page to do list that needs to be done by 8/26: purging, organizing, packing and finding a place to live in Nashville - 3 weeks until the next adventure. 

Nashville and NSA

I was in Nashville as an exhibitor for the National Sherriff Association conference this week. It was the first time that my company or I attended this event. I also got to bring one of my fellow planners out to her first tradeshow. The show itself was great and I learned a lot about this audience and what they are looking for when attending conferences.


Anyone that knows me knows that I LOVE Nashville, it is my favorite city to visit. The people are nice, the city has a lot to offer and the artistic awareness is huge. And, I’m not just talking about Music, painters, sculptors, wood workers, writers and a few musicians - it is a city full of creativity. Two of my co-workers had never been and I have the fun of showing them all of my favorite places. Overall it had been a great time.

There may have been a little excitement on Tuesday night when the Opryland Hotel had a gas leak caused an explosion I was very thankful as a planner that most of my staff had already left and we had cleared out of the Opryland a whole 4 hours prior. The good news is that no one was hurt – which was amazing considering that the hotel was sold out and they evacuated over 5000 people. The bad news Gaylord is looking at 750k in damages. Thinking it is a good thing that Marriott just put in a bid to purchase all their properties.

Today I flew to Atlanta. I’m very excited about this event did I mention I’m going to have a Robot?

Starting Again

So, I haven’t posted or even looked at my poor little blog in two years. Not sure why I stopped writing, but I did. I have recently been thinking that there are many of things that I would like to write about and have nowhere to put down my thoughts. So, I am bringing back the blog and seeing if I can make a real go of it.


Two years in a nutshell: lots of trips, events, concerts, crafts and I have started sewing again. I am also currently in the process of studying for my CMP and CEM. I find that the busier I am the more focused that I become. It was the same thing when I was in grad school and working full time. I was constantly getting projects done and coming up with new ones. Once I slow done I take more time to get things done because I’m not as busy or scheduled.

As I write this I’m in a hotel in Nashville getting ready to head to Atlanta for the second week of my work trip. Nothing back to back events, the CMP exam in 4 weeks and two CEM classes starting to make one want to bring the a blog back to life.

So here I go bringing back Escapades in Crafts & Travel back to life. Let’s see if I can make it work.

Not Ready for Monday

Today, was one of those days that I wanted to go back to bed before I got up. Nothing bad, it was just gray and rainy out. Hard way to start the week I finally convinced myself to get up and head into the office. Work was on the crazy side, but the happy part of it was that I only had one meeting. I think that is a record. I average 4-5 a day.

I am very sad to see the news about Nashville. Many of the areas that I was just at last week are now underwater. I hope all our friends to the south keep safe and dry. I promise to come back soon to help boost the economy which I am sure will be needed. I am also a little concerned that Ireland is talking about closing the airports again due to volcanic ash…Let’s hope this doesn’t happen. I am heading to London in June and don’t want to get stuck either here and miss the trip or be unable to come back.

Ok, enough rambling.

Card of the Day

Mama said there’d be days like this – Inspirational
I was just having one of those days and this sentiment said it all. And, then the turtle on its shell just seemed to work. It is very simple, yet I think it sums up many a Monday. Or just about any blah day.

Elements

• Stamps: A Muse Artstamps: Mama said, Turtle, Stamps by Judith: H-198 Long Grass, Local King Rubber Stamp: Happy baa…thday (small outline)
• Inks: Memento: Black tuxedo, Bamboo Leaves, New Sprout, Summer Sky
• Paper (brands, colors & size): Gina K (card Base): Pure white, 5 ½ x 8 ½ (folded down to 5 ½ x 4 ¼ ), Taylored Expressions: Snow White 2 ¾ x ½ , SU!: Ballet Blue 3 x ¾, certainly celery 5 ½ x I ½
• Copics: Turtle: YG23, YG00

Trip to Nashville & a little Bon Jovi

Just got back from spending four days in my favorite city – Nashville - as always had a great time! Started Wednesday with a Bon Jovi Concert at the Bridgestone arena, Dashboard Confessional open and were great. Bon Jovi was AMAZING; they rocked the roof off . It took until Saturday to get my hearing back in my right ear. (That may have to do with two nights at the second fiddle on Broadway, but I’ll get to that in a minute).  Here is  the playlist. They hit all the big songs and a few that were old alum cuts that you don’t hear as often, but still know all the words. The only song that they didn’t play that I would have liked to hear is Bed of Roses, but maybe they will play it in London. 

We went down to Lynchburg, TN on Thursday to tour the Jack Daniels Distillery. Here is the picture of the whole tour group. I am hidden in the back and I am ok with that. :) We had an awesome tour guide names Bettie. She was great and had a wonderful sense of humor. Walked around the cute historic district which I think had a total of 10 stores. Then headed back north to Franklin, TN. Walked around Main St and saw some great little shops and had dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Sol. It was great and the guacamole was made table side which I always like.

Thursday night was night 1 at the Second Fiddle. The band that was on stage when we got there was Brandi Thornton and she is a great singer that knows how to engage the crowd and keep their attention. I would go see her again. The 2^nd group to come on was Barefoot Justice and I have to say I wasn't impressed and was sad to see that they were on again on Friday when we went back. Luckily they were the early band on Friday was they were off the stage by 10:30 and then the Shawn & Hobby band took the stage and they were also good. I look forward to seeing if any of these groups make it big. You never when you hit the bars on Broadway, they could be the next big thing...

Friday during the day we toured the Belle Mead Plantation which was very cool. I had never toured a plantation before so I got a good dose of history while there. We also drove by its sister’s house West Meade which is just a mile down the road and still family owned.

 

After having to check out Saturday morning we headed down to the Factory in Franklin.

It has a lot of local artists which is nice. A little too nice as I managed to buy two paintings. One by Deborah Gall. 

 

This one is  by Becky  R. Gholston.  I also looked through the window at Deann Hebert ‘s work, but she was closed. Next trip I will be heading over to see her. 

After that it was time to head home. Once again Nashville, you made it hard to leave...Next trip is for work. Atlanta in Mid May!!! Until then I am off to Craft. :)

Packing

Packing, my least favorite part about travel. I love the planning, love the flying, loving being there and even coming home is nice. Packing and unpacking - that is what i hate. Airport security, checking in, hotels, rental cars - piece a cake. Packing so not my idea of fun.

It is really an art form and I do have it down to a science, but it is a science that occupies my mind for days before I leave. What are we going to be doing on this trip, do i need day and night outfits, business and fun? Shoes - that is a whole other issue. Comfort or style...Seldom do you get both.

Ok, so I need to pack leave on Wednesday for Nashville. I love that city and have tix to see Bon Jovi. So I am going to need day and night attire. Along with some comfortable and stylish shoes...I think there may be a need for some shopping! :)

Ok, off to look the closet. :)