TABOO TRUTHS

Today is my day!  (Well, mine and my nephew Parker Cook’s that is.  Happy Birthday lil Angel!)  As the years go by this 24 hour period seems less unique.  Maybe it’s because I don’t reside near my family (who finds every reason to party!), maybe it’s because I have no significant other currently or maybe it’s due to the focus being on what was instead of what will be.  Whatever the case may be, birthdays are a call for reflection.

This year I’ve decided to start a list of things I desire to do in my life.  Big and small…a “bucket list” of sorts.  As the days pass I will add to this list and hopefully, mark some completed!

-European Trip with my girls

-Take my girls to a tropical beach and sit our asses in the sand doing NOTHING!

-Order and enjoy a bottle of Dom Perignon!

-Visit Times Square

-Wine trip to Napa Valley

-Finish my book

-Fulfill my daughters higher learning financial responsibilities

-Be in love, feel safe and get married (if fate permits…)

-Own another Great Pyrenees

-Go on another sister exclusive vacation

-Finish reading two more books in the category of “classics” (Maybe Wuthering Heights and Taming of the Shrew!)

-Visit the Greek Isles

-Spend 10 days in Germany with our relatives

-Learn to speak Italian (Ciao!)

-Meet Neil Schon and Steve Perry

…more to come. (maybe after some Champagne….)

Yup, I finally got one!  I was using my MacPro for business.  Showing presentations and creative production to clients.  The MacPro is my personal, home computer and I was growing more concerned about it’s life.  Little quirky issues were arising so it was time to have our business buy me a new computer OR come up with another solution.  It needed to be mobile and allow me to effectively work on our clients social media campaigns, check and respond to email and easily showcase new commercials for client review.  The answer?  Apple iPad.

It’s pretty spectacular!  Lots of versitility and easy of use.  But if you’re looking at a iPad as a mini computer…you will be disappointed.  There are apps that allow you to adapt elements to use as a temporary computer substitute, but it is NOT a personal computer.  It works wonderfully for taking note, reading pdf documents and so much more!  In the coming months I’ll be exploring more and more business uses and sharing them!  I hope you all will post your suggestions and comments to help me learn from you!  What do you love about yours?

Related articles

• Video Shows iPad Dropped From Space (myfoxny.com)
• SMBs Have iPads at the Top of Their Wish Lists – Quick Take (biztechmagazine.com)
• The 10 Apps You Need For Your New iPad (huffingtonpost.com)

I was probably around 13 years old.  My older sister and I were getting ready for school with the normal regimen.  What was also part of the normal régime were my parents arguing…this morning was no exception.  They were fighting about something I had done…which was also fit the norm.  I was the black sheep of my four siblings that is until my younger brother came of age!  I avoided doing chores, pushed curfews and procrastinated on work in general.  I don’t remember what the catalyst for this particular fight was, but it was most certainly about me.  My mother was the everyday disciplinarian and used physical punishment.  When she became so frustrated with handling her own anger she would force my Dad into the situation.  My Dad was my advocate.  Why?  I’ve never been very sure.  His opinion was my Mom was hard on me.  Almost always!  The debate was on…

For Catherine???

Dad pro

Mom con

As I sat on our rocking chair putting my shoes on to get out of the house my Mother stormed into the dining room, pointed at my face and said “if your Father and I ever get a divorce, it will be because of you!”

I have been spanked, slapped and even disciplined with a belt throughout my childhood.  It was the way those of us bringing up the rear for baby boomers were commonly disciplined.   However, I can tell you that one comment hurt me more than the physical control, combined!  The weight of my family was heaved upon my little teenage shoulders.  I can’t imagine a more damaging thing to say to your child.

I too have felt the boiling of anger and frustration as a woman and mother.  I too have erupted with a comment or a word to my daughters and once it was said I wanted nothing more than to physically wrap my hands around them pulling them back!  But discovered a miracle reversal….saying you’re sorry to your children!  By apologizing it taught my daughters that I was fallible and allowed me to relieve the pressure of being perfect.  Redirecting my anger came later but a simple “I’m sorry” was a definite building block!  TT #6