Do you have it?
Initiative: The power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task; enterprise and determination.
Have you sat and wondered why some people take initiative while others find themselves to be stagnant? I often question why individuals believe that taking no action, stagnancy, is the correct action.
There are some individuals I’ve met in my life that believe that it’s okay to mooch off another. They feel, for some reason or another, that it is perfectly okay to cause disruption in the lives of those around them instead of bettering themselves and their families.
There is much to be said for an individual taking the initiative to better themselves and their lives. It doesn’t take much effort to get started and when you do, the feeling of worth prompts you to move forward. One small action starts a snow-ball effect; leading to great change!
If you are one who works diligently and deliberately to ensure a better life for yourself and your family; I commend you! If you are one who lacks the initiative in your life and feels it’s better to wait and see; I hope you’ll light a fire in your own life and better yourself before those around you view you as much less than you really are…
Horrible Behavior calls for Drastic Measures
As I was well aware, the twelve days of working would be difficult on all of us. They have been especially difficult on Jaden. His behavior has left me speechless in all counts.
The number of fits daily has shot through the roof, getting into every possible thing he can find, and a blatant disregard for authority has been the norm.
Yesterday, as I was leaving for work, we had a discussion about my having to work for only three more nights. Jaden was happy to be able to count the number of days I had left until I would be home at night. I mentioned to him that he needed to be a good boy and it was almost over.
Last night, while I was working, his poor behavior hit an all time high.
Today I decided it was time for reprogramming. That, however, was not an easy task!
I began first by cleaning up the house and getting laundry started. I told Jaden it was time to pick up all of his toys in the living room and his bedroom. He outright refused. I gave him multiple chances and told him that if he didn’t pick up his toys, I would take them away. He still refused.
I went into his room and began picking up all of his toys and he instantly went into fit mode. I called for Rob to take him out of his room and he did. He kept Jaden in the living room while I packed up all of his toys and pulled them from his room and dispersed them into appropriate hiding places.
When he went back into his room he cried for close to an hour, wanting his toys back. I told him that he could get them back, only after he started behaving correctly again.
It’s going to be a long road, I’m afraid. I feel horrible for taking everything away, but as every other form of punishment hasn’t worked up through this point, I’ve felt no other choice. It’s going to take him a long time to earn back all of his toys; perhaps at that time he will respect them a bit more and will remember to do as he is asked…
The world through Jaden’s eyes
My son has decided that the digital camera is his toy! Although we’ve fought with him over this issue for the past couple of weeks, he did manage to snap about 40 photo’s one morning. I can’t help but see the light hearted side of it all and figured I would share how he sees his little world.
A Moment of Silence
Last Saturday, July 14, 2007; one gun shot was fired outside of Old Chicago in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The bullet, shot from across the street and through a window, missed the patrons, hit and instantly killed Robin Munis, 40, of Cheyenne.
As the story began to unfold, Robin Munis had recently separated from her husband, David Munis, 36. She received a threatening phone call from David the day prior and police began searching for Mr. Munis as their only suspect for the shooting.
David Munis was an expert marksman in the military. There was no criminal record on Mr. Munis.
As the days passed by, the story continued to sit in the headlines of all local newspapers and coverage continued by the local and national TV stations.
David Munis was found Tuesday, July 17, outside of Laramie. Mr. Munis shot himself in the chest and died later that night.
There were many other victims and people who have been devastated by this murder-suicide. The impact has been most felt by the Munis children. With one deliberate action by their father, they lost their mother and a few days later, their father.
Please take a moment to offer a thought, prayer or moment of silence for the innocent bystanders who have lost their whole world as they once knew.
Memorial Funds have been established for her children. Interested individuals can contribute through:
Memorial Fund for Robin Munis
c/o Cheryl Hawkins
American National Bank
1912 Capitol Ave.
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Or
Robin Munis Memorial Fund
Western Bank
1525 E. Pershing Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82001
A new career on the horizon…
One of the greatest assets when working in a bar is networking. I’ve been speaking with a couple who owns and operates the largest independent real estate trade publication over the last two months or so.
When I first met Chad and Tracy, I was asked what I was doing working in a bar when it was apparent that I had the intelligence to be holding any other position. My answer was simple; money. The financial rewards of holding a position of that sort has kept my family from struggling, most days. It was about that time Chad wanted to know what I would need to make in a month to live comfortably. I shot out a figure and the wheels in his mind started turning and he responded with; “Call me when you are ready to leave this job.”
I blew him off as there are many people who will state something they are unable to hold fast to while they are in bars. I took the entire conversation as just that and went about my business.
A few weeks later, they were in again. We talked more and again Chad was pretty adamant about my leaving my job and beginning to work for him. I looked at his wife, Tracy, and asked if he was serious. She said he was dead serious and really wanted me to work for him.
I’ve mulled it over as we’ve continued talking and looking at all the options and opportunities involved with working for this company. Last night, they were in again and the conversation quickly turned from small talk to business talk. I met with them after I got off work and picked up the most recent copy of their publication and continued discussing this opportunity.
I was asked to quit my job and begin working for them next week; to which I had to decline. I can’t just up and leave the position I hold in that manner, but did state that we could discuss this further at the end of frontier days. Chad was satisfied with my response and after much discussion at home about this opportunity; all systems are go once I have a few more questions answered.
So after the next 10 days, I have big decisions to make. I look forward to the change of pace, scenery and most of all working normal hours while making an income that is desirable for myself and my family.
Blogging – During Frontier Days
I won’t be doing a whole lot of blogging over Frontier Days. I’ve opted to just blog on this site and let my other two sit idle during this time. For all the fun and fabulous updates; this is the page to see!
My World:
I was pretty bummed out Tuesday night when Rob didn’t want to spend time with me, even though it was my last night off for quite some time. I ended up crying myself to sleep Tuesday night. I can blame part of that on the hormones. However, Wednesday when I woke him up, I did tell him just how upset I was and we’ve made a very conscious effort to spend good quality time together as we have it.
Future Trip:
My son has been adamant about going fishing over the past couple of weeks. We are now trying to plan an over-night camping trip for all of us shortly after my long stint at work. He’s excited to get a fishing rod and reel it in, or “turn, turn, turn” he says.
Count-down:
I’m tired, overly tired. It’s going to be a long week and I’m already feeling it. Let the countdown begin… 11 days until I get to rest and relax at home.
Regularly scheduled programing will return tomorrow.
A bit of my world
Cheyenne Frontier Days runs from July 20-29, 2007. I get to experience the influx of people from around the country and world at my job.
I started out as a bartender at the Outlaw shortly after moving to Cheyenne. I made a choice about a month and a half ago to move to cocktailing instead. Now, I’ll be running on the floor instead of behind the bar during the most stressful yet lucrative time of the year.
Eleven days with no time off; running hard, fast and ragged. I won’t be off work until the sun is nearing its rise and sleeping as much as possible during daylight hours before going back and starting all over again.
Preparations at work began last week; with the building of a temporary tent structure. When I say temporary, I do mean that it will be coming down after all the hoopla in August, even though it is cemented into the ground, bolted and stabilized with steel beams. We aren’t talking about a small tent – the tent itself is about 2/3 the size of the club.
At any given day, there will be anywhere between 5 and 10,000 people that walk through the doors. It is going to be one long rest of the month!
Featured Blog
As Jennifer stated at Offbeat Homes; I’m the next big thing in honest blogs. Since that is the case, I’ll share with you a bit more about myself and why I love my featured blog so much!
I was raised in an abusive home. Walking on egg-shells seemed to be the norm; something that took me years to see otherwise. I dealt with physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Come to think of it, some of the names I was called could be considered verbal abuse as well.
In any event, those experiences left a mark on my heart and in my soul. I’ve often spent a great deal of time working with one individual or another on letting go of their own pain and moving on; which is no easy task.
Polly Kahl has spent numerous years doing the same thing. She has joined the blogging world with her debut Victimology Blog. She is worth the wealth of information fueled by a past that, too, has been difficult. She’s come out on top; and in the process continues to help others – through her work with a national community of abuse survivors, public speaking as an advocate for crime victims and in her private practice.
As I told Polly last week, I love the blog she has created! She’s made up her mind to make an amazing difference in the lives of so many.
I hope you will take a moment and pop over to see Polly on her blog. Stay a moment and post a comment! Feel free to share in your own experiences, say a quick hello and don’t forget to check back and catch her upcoming posts!!
My Sister
It’s been quite some time since my sister and I last talked on the phone; roughly about a month ago. She sent an email my way today and I sent one right back – then she sent another! Our emails lead to my picking up the phone and dialing her number. Our lack of communicating hasn’t been due to anger or frustration; we’ve not had the opportunity to connect as our schedules far from meshed. Today, however, they did.
It was about 330 when we started talking – about life, writing, blogging, and the list continues. Before I knew it, we were engaged in one of those heartfelt and deeply penetrating conversations that began with her reading a few of my blogs posted here.
There was so much I haven’t shared with anyone, even my sister in regards to my grief. That sparked some pretty deep conversations about what transpired following Reiley’s death in the days following. She commented in text on numerous posts and some verbally while we were on the phone.
Our dysfunctional ‘father’ in our lives caused much disruption during that time, as he wanted to be the center of attention – as apparently the death of my son was much more devastating to him than it ever could have been to me. He was the root of so many issues and ill feelings (or lack of feelings) throughout that time. It has surprised me as to the ability to see all that occurred in hindsight.
I can’t help but thank God for my being home today, instead of running around with a friend. Everything does happen for a reason and my sister knowing more about me was an amazing and great moment.
Cheers to a sister who has been more than amazing in far too many ways to count.
TAG! I’m It…
As my friends could attest; I don’t follow chain letters, mass postings or even consider answering millions of questions about myself unless I am completely bored out of my mind. Seeing as my schedule has been tight beyond belief with Cheyenne Frontier Days a few days away; boredom has not been part of my life. I do accept the break from my regularly scheduled posting, however and will follow suit…
8 Random Things about Me!
- I really am not so random. I tend to think everything out, plan and do.
- When I was a Freshman in High School, I wanted to be a lawyer; specializing in child abuse and abandonment.
- I grew up around hundreds of books – a wall with built in shelves from floor to ceiling with books of all kinds.
- I have a sister who is definitely not the youngest most beautiful; but she has one hell of a beautiful heart and soul.
- I dated a “bad boy” who ended up serving a lengthy sentence in prison.
- I ran my own business on line – looking into the unknown and mystical world beyond.
- I’ve had stitches three times in my life – twice because of surgery and once from falling down a hill.
- I have a brother who is still attached to “daddy” at the hip – - and wallet!
I was tagged by Jennifer at Offbeat Homes. She’s such a blogaholic!! And a great inspiration and pretty cool chic. She can also be found at Balance, Hippie Sounds, Office Stuffer, Family Resource, and Pregnancy and Baby. I told you she was a blogaholic, and I just wasn’t kidding.
Thank heavens that’s over! Now for the real fun part… I get to tag EIGHT of you to do the same! My victims, err… choices are:
- Heath – He’s always in need of something else to do in his ever growing busy schedule.
- Prozac Place – Because I love lurking there.
- Micheline – One Scrapping Mom
- My Sister – (I’m still the youngest most beautifulest!) And She needs to get busy blogging!
- A Dragaon’s Heart – An aspiring writer, with a passion for all things draconic.
- Kappa no He – The mythological and magical world of what comes naturally.
- Alicia Sparks – Mental Health Notes
- Kristen King – One Lively Woman with great insight!
Now here’s the deal – you can decline kindly – or follow suit and have fun! You will get to select 8 blogs yourself to tag and in my case; no tag backs!!!
Now – my sister had best get with it and reply to this… If she doesn’t; I might have to threaten to invade her home and leave my terrorizing “Why” asking son with her for a week. Okay – that just might not be a good threat… hmmm.
