My Life – The Last Ten Years

I can’t believe in a few short days we will be entering a new decade. The year went by fast enough but when I started thinking back over the last ten years…I’m astounded at all the BIG things that happened in my life and it makes me wonder about all the little things that I’ve forgotten about.

In 2000 my now ex-husband and I left the San Francisco Bay Area to move back “home” so that I can work for my dad, slow down and get pregnant. Getting pregnant had at that point been a 7 long years journey and we were at the point of either going childless or finally taking the last step in my fertility journey.

We left jobs that we loved, an area that we loved and a life that we had built to move back to the foothills so that I can begin the IVF process and ultimately have a more flexible life when the baby came.

In 2001 we settled in our new home, new jobs and new life. We took the next step and started the IVF process that ultimately ended with our baby girl later that year.

In 2002 little did I know after 10 years of marriage and 8 years of fertility treatments – I would be going through a divorce, become a single mom and a home owner. Fun days ; D.  I still remember in the fall having to climb up a ladder 15 feet high so I can clean the leaves out of my gutter. Or when I was having a hard time starting the lawn mower and had Natalia (who was 2 1/2 yrs old)  hang off of the handle of the mower with the bar pressed in so that I can use two hands to pull the rope thing that started it! My favorite memory? My neighbor across the street was this little old man and when I hung my Christmas lights outside he would stand outside and watch me – the whole time telling me to be careful! I use to put the phone in my pocket thinking that if I fell off the ladder at least I could call for help – if I was still conscious.

In 2003 I decided to jump back into the dating pool – frightening.

In 2004 I met  Brian – who would become my husband 4 years later…

In 2005 I sell my house to fund my new business, move to a new town and start my VA practice.

In 2006 Brian and I decide to buy a house together. (Here’s an observation that never left me..while we had the BIG talk before we went in and signed our names on the dotted line – Brian was focused on the relationship part and I was focused on the financial part. A first for me. It wasn’t until I became a mom, business owner and a divorcee that I finally realized that the financial part is important and that I need to be very clear about what his and my thoughts and expectations are). We agreed on all parts and started our own little version of the Brady Bunch : D

In 2007 Brian and the girls proposed to me. We just got home from a camping trip. The four hour trip home was one big long loud argument between two tired and dirty little girls. We showered and as I was sitting in the living room waiting for them so we can go grab a bite to eat – out comes Brian and the two girls. He kneels in front of me and pops the question. The girls are giggling non-stop!

In 2008 Brian and I get married in our home with close family on Valentines Day. My dad officiated and the girls were my bridesmaids.

In 2009 we bring home Schmitty the newest edition to our life (Brian and Sam’s first puppy ever!) and life settles down to a nice comfortable routine.

In 2010….who knows!

Guest Post from Mary M. Byers

As you may remember, I recently partnered up with Making Work at Home Work as a blogger.

Making Work At Home Work: Holiday Strategies
by Mary Byers

As I look ahead to the approaching holiday season, I thought I’d share a few suggestions for you to consider for your business.

• Give yourself a break. Most employees get time off for Christmas. Sometimes I give myself time off, too. But I’m not always intentional about it. This year, I’m going to actually mark off a couple of days that I’m gifting to myself. I’ll turn on my auto reply and get myself out of the office. I know it will feel good and will be rejuvenating for me.

• Make a list of office supply and equipment needs. I know it is difficult to spend money on work when you need to spend money on holiday gifts. But there are two great reasons to make work related purchases this month and next. One, there are great sales. Two, if you’ve had a successful year in 2009, you can reduce your taxable income by purchasing things you need (and want) for your business.

• Consider developing a one-page plan for next year. I spend one morning each December writing a one-page business plan for myself. I simply identify four or five initiatives that would help my business. I capture them on paper, jot down my action plans, and post it on my wall. This helps keep me focused throughout the year.

• Set a financial goal (unless it will make you a slave to your business). I set financial goals for myself early in my business. But I abandoned them when they became the be-all and end-all for me even though I had two preschool aged children. Instead, I focused on taking the work that came my way. No more, no less. Now, however, I’ve started setting goals again. And I’m pleased to report that I had my best year ever in 2009! Don’t be a slave to a goal. But consider setting one if it will motivate and encourage you or if you have something special you’re saving for.

• Take time to be thankful. I am grateful I get to work from home. Sometimes I forget my gratitude when I’m overwhelmed or behind in my work. But I don’t want to lose sight of what a privilege it is to run my own business. I plan to keep this in the forefront of my mind as I approach this holiday season.

Mary Byers is the author of Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family Under One Roof. Sign up for her work at home blog at www.makingworkathomework.com.

Last month when I was blogging what I am thankful for – one thing I wrote about is being thankful for opportunities.

An opportunity that came up recently for me was to join a blogging ring. Mary M Byers published a book titled Making Work at Home Work: Successfully Growing a Business and a Family under One Roof. Mary has started a blog ring as a way for moms to connect and I was invited to join. Check out the other mommy blogs here.

I’m half way through Mary’s book and have discovered a kind of comfort knowing that my sometimes crazy life is not the exception to the work at home rule.  I love that Mary includes the lessons she has learned along the way and passes on tips that have helped her. (I especially love Chapter 5 about the guilt that sometimes comes when working at home and caring for your family and the quotes from moms.) One quote that really struck home from a work at home mom is…”I always feel like I am letting someone down”. I can totally relate to that sentiment. If it’s not my family – it’s my business – and sometimes it’s me that I let down. I have every intention to do something for myself and then poof I think  I need to put me on the back burner and take care of something else!

At times I may be physically doing something fun with my girls but my mind is either writing my next blog post or thinking about a client’s project. My girls are now getting to the point where they can tell if I’m there but not really there. Then there are the times when I am working on a project and would rather be with my girls having fun but I can’t. Sometimes it’s simply a no win situation.

I will be having guest blog posts from time to time from Mary. I hope you enjoy them and please feel free to comment!

Fun Friday!

Wow…I can’t believe this will be the last Fun Friday for 2009! Since next Friday is Christmas and any sane person will be off of their computer I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday!

Since I’m taking my sugarplums to the Nutcracker Ballet on Wednesday I thought I’d end the week with this fun video. It’s a house that has its Christmas lights synchronized to Trans Siberian Orchestra’s rendition of the Nutcracker.

Happy Birthday!

December 11th was It’s a Mompreneur’s Life first birthday! Wahoo! It’s been an amazing journey and one I never anticipated.

My blog started out as therapy for me. Working from home can be isolating at times and mix in being a mom – it can get complicated. It’s a Mompreneur’s Life was a way for me to reach out to the world, share my story and hopefully connect with other mom’s like me! I never anticipated the response I would receive nor the opportunities that have been presented.

I’m looking forward to what 2010 has in store!