Introverted and Loving It

After some MySql issues, we are back up and going. I lost about about a year’s worth of work…yes slap me now for not backing up, but I’ve learned my lesson now.

- Becki

Oh bla dee a bla da life goes on bla o o o o life goes on. I keep singing that over and over in my head. Similar to that of a Seinfeld episode where George’s father was stuck in his “serenity NOW” phase.

OK, I’ll admit it, I thought I was Super Woman. While I’ll admit that I don’t do it all, I really, truly believed that I “could” do it all…then reality hit and it hit hard. After last week, I am ready to crash and burn by 3:30 pm.

See I started homeschooling this year through the PAVCS (Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School). The first day (Wednesday) went pretty well, except for some minor hurdles. Then Thursday and today were filled with woes…mostly in phonics. OK, truthfully phonics was never my thing. But I followed the instructions on the supplied video, grasped the concept of their method and off I went. I’m not sure if it’s my reluctance coming through but my son can’t stand it. He’s five and already reads, perhaps he just feels like he doesn’t need it. I lack patience, but I don’t think I ever displayed patience the way I did on Thursday morning. The boy was literally kicking and screaming, but I went on with the teaching. Finally after 60 and in utter desperation in a booming voice he said “I want my Daddy to teach me!!!!” So out came Daddy and he got through the lesson in 20 minutes. That night Daddy and I talk about him teaching the boy phonics and he agreed without hesitation.

Friday morning and the boy sat down eagerly at his desk and we thought we were pretty cool because everything was under control. NOT!!! (Can I emphasize that any more?) Calm before the storm was more like it. Five minutes into the lesson he was bored out of his mind and started acting out. 30 minutes into the lesson came “I want my Mommy to teach me!!!!” So what can we say. We taught it together, which worked for about 10 minutes…but at least we got through it.

My son and I “school” for about 5 and a half hours every weekday. It’s rewarding and pretty draining on an introvert like myself. At about 3:30 when we’re finished, I am spent. I am trying to figure out how to convince my husband that I need about an hour of unwind time after the school day is over…a nap would feel wonderful. I asked for one today and he was none too sympathetic of my plight. He explained that he goes to bed with me at night and I make him wake up at a specified time, even though he’s not a morning person, so it gets in his crawl when I ask for a nap in the afternoon because he too feels like he never gets a break. Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand where he is coming from. It’s not fair because I do have different expectations for him than I do for myself, so should I ask for a nap? Probably not, but still the only way I can describe my afternoons after school is “spent”…emotionally and physically. Think about it…even though I am working with a child, I am still exerting myself in an extrovert kind of way.

My evenings have been spent working, which I used to be able to accomplish during the day time. I can’t complain though. There are not many of us who have the ability to stay at home with our children and provide for them mentally and physically. I keep reminding myself that I can name about 25 people that I know who would kill for the life that I have.

Becki

I admit it, I’m slacker as is my cat. Have you ever gone through a dry spell when writing? Well the spell was here and is here still. It’s frustrating because every time I sit down to write something thought provoking, somewhat humorous or even utter crud, my fingers just don’t do the walking across the keys. I’ve tried mind mapping, writing down thoughts and I even dream about blog posts…yes seriously. One of my favorite phrases lately has been, “I smell a blog post.” But alas when it comes to sitting my butt in the chair to stare at the computer screen, I am completely dry, dry to the bone.

OK, I’m desperate. It’s not that my life is dull, I can definitely take on writing about my son who always seems to get me into an extroverted mess but do I want this to turn into a mommy blog? No offense against mom blogs, I read a ton, but I want to focus more on business and myths surrounding introversion. There is not a day that goes by that I don’t speak to people regarding introversion/extroversion on the surface as well in the deep.

I’ve rambled enough, how do you get over a dry spell?

Becki

I just wanted to take a moment to say Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband! He is definitely my rock! I just want to say that he really is as sweet as he comes across on his blog and he even practices what he preaches.

I can remember clearly our wonderful day 9 years ago. We had canceled our first wedding date (May 98) due to family squabbles. But before I go on, God’s plan was all over our marriage. In May 98 we were as lost as a ball in tall grass, meaning that we didn’t know Him. On June 6, 1998 we came to know Christ and it was the start of making our relationship stronger…because we were no longer two, we were now three. I hesitate to think about what our life would be like had we gone through with our May 98 plans…we may not be where we are today.

After we got down to brass tax, took the bull by the horns and stole the reigns from the “family”, we had the ceremony of our dreams, complete in shorts and t-shirts by a gorgeous lake with our friends and immediate family…there were even a few jet skiers and boaters who stopped to witness our nuptials. I’ll never forget the standing ovation and woohoo’s at the end from the curious onlookers. My husband cried during the entire ceremony, like he knew immediately it was going to be H. E. double hockey sticks living with me for the rest of his life. He was overjoyed as was I, but the guests couldn’t have both of us crying so I maintained the strong front. But truth be told, I have a hard time remembering the ceremony because I was so focused on my new husband and God. God brought this awesome man into my life who completes me in every way and no I’m not trying to knock off “Jerry Maquire”. He is a rock in my life, a humble spiritual leader, a wonderful husband and father and my best friend.

Today on our anniversary, I am reminded of the scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We’ve had our ups and downs but have always grown closer and stronger. God ensures that all things are possible!

This one is for you baby!! Happy Anniversary!

I was reading my buddy Lisa’s blog and came across a post about her blogging addiction, so I decided to take the quiz.

I’m not surprised, nor shocked at the results, except to say that I was convinced I was at least 95% addicted.

85%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Seattle Singles from Mingle²

I like to blog and I do it frequently on the 6 blogs that I operate. I’ve often been asked why and how I can keep up with 6. My reply is simply that I find solace in the therapy that it provides me.

My husband jokes around alot saying that blogging is his answer to therapy. I get concerned when I see more than 3 posts per week on his blog. It’s not that he’s not funny or a great writer, but because I know deep down that he’s stressed out and I don’t like to see him at that point. Towards the end of last week and this week as well, he has been churning out about 2 or 3 posts per day NOT per week but per DAY. But alas I digress because if he doesn’t post to his blog then I’m on him for that. Men just can’t win sometimes.

Becki

OK, I admit it…my name is Becki and I’m a geek. I’m not a closet geek either, but one who embraces my geekiness, maintains a geek-tionary and someone who gets “hot” when reviewing open source programs.

About two months ago, I told Sally, a good friend of mine and fellow introvert, about a Geek Fest called Word Camp 2007, which happened to be in her neck of the woods, San Francisco. Sally decided to purchase her ticket post haste, while I searched for the best airfare which happened to be $550.00 which was a little out of my budget at the time. So I left my green hat of envy at the door and encouraged Sallly to go without me (which wasn’t that hard ). To my surprise, Sallly turned geek…read more about it at her blog.

She sent a You Tube video clip of her local news which highlighted a bit from Word Camp. If you look closely you can see her at the end of the clip.

Get geek-a-fied!

Becki

The BFF has gone absolutely MAD I tell you…MAD! Heather is giving aways loads of FREE stuff on her blog this week including:

FREE copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

A HUGE lot of scrapbooking materials

and………..

She is hinting around about a little BLING BLING on Friday.

Don’t miss it!!!!

Becki

I got into an interesting discussion tonight regarding introverts in business. Some were blaming their “introversion” for the “fear” they have of networking in-person for their business.

Definitions:

Introversion – the act of directing one’s interest inward or to things within the self (American Heritage Dictionary)

Fear – a feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger (American Heritage Dictionary)

Just because you are introverted, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are shy and dislike people. It means that you draw energy and relief from your inner self. Now when networking in-person, I can totally understand the “fear” that many possess and it can cripple you if you aren’t careful.

Take a moment to assess the situation. Do you not want to attend the event (that is necessary to grow your business) because you are introverted? Or are you hesitant to attend the event because you are fearful of the outcome? I once heard that fear stood for “F”alse “E”vidence “A”ppearing “R”eal. What a true statement that is!!

Becki

Do you ever see yourself as the main character when you read a book or watched a movie?

A few months ago my BFF loaned me The Devil Wears Prada. After 4 chapters I called her and told that I couldn’t read it anymore because I was overcome with panic attacks and flash backs of my days in the corporate world. But being the glutton for punishment that I am, I finished the book because I just can’t leave a book that I started sitting there unless it sucks with a capital S. In all honesty it was a well written piece, but I truly was frustrated during the experience.

As it turns out The Devil Wears Prada is the HBO movie of the month, so my husband and I sat down to watch it. The panic attacks started again as I watched the movie…boy you would think that Andie was me and that Miranda was ______ (like I’m going to tell you who I worked for …she is pretty well known in a certain industry). I felt like I was placed in a time in the not so distant past without any hope of recovery.

Much like Andie, I learned many valuable lessons during my stay. My business savvy and business sense are a direct result of my having worked with “Miranda”. I would not be where I am today without her teachings. While my “Miranda” wasn’t quite as bad as the real Miranda, the parallel between the two is astonishing.

Thanks “Miranda” for helping me learn the savvy that makes me what I am today.

Do you think I could use this as my reason for not posting lately?

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