O, Canada!

Thank you for providing much needed hope in this shit show of a world.
Damn the man, save the empire!

What a week!

It's been a whirlwind week between the "big" announcement, actual client work and life stuff.

Among the coolest kudos I've received was from a (really) former supermodel and, seriously more importantly, one of the founders of the first company that made an everlasting impression on me.

I felt like an imposter when I started at this company. My first day, I cried the entire way home to the person who hired me. He encouraged me to keep pushing myself. I did.

I went from freaking out in the pitch booth to helping with office culture to involuntary running the DC office for a short period.

I loved my time there. It was everything…I laughed, I cried, I failed, I persevered…I met core friends who immediately chimed in on our 20+ year text chain to give me props for this week.

Our time was lightning in a bottle. From Diet Coke bouquets to cheer on a coworker, karaoke in the dive burger bar under our office, air freshening our storage closet and making "smoothies" on a long night - these are the people that made every long night worth it. I still miss them every day.

Just an epically amazing feeling to feel so much love for how hard I've worked.

When you can’t say it better…

Give props and say yup!

What do I think?

Ahhh. I was not prepared on Week 1 of C-Suite-ing to be asked this every hour of every day! Sweet Baby Jesus…why would anyone listen to me! Oh wait, everyone is listening to me now. 🤯

My research is complete

It is official…there are no adultier adults.

The Comeback is Personal

"I have lived a full and rich life. I have met many colorful characters and endured many exceedingly stupid men but that may be the stupidest thing I have ever heard."

I've worked and fought for everything I have - quite literally. I won't apologize that for the first time in my life I'm prioritizing myself and accomplishing what I need to do.

I'm lucky that my parents are mostly self sufficient in their mid 80s. And quite grateful that my family helps me out to keep this house afloat (or recently, not afloat as my BIL patched my leaking ceiling).

I can't give more than I have and I'm no longer a caretaker for man children.

Sorry, not sorry.

Sunday Funday

Finally got together with my hair salon ladies. So much fun making new friends and having a blast!

The Purge

I'm ridiculously over organized at work. Sadly, that doesn't translate to life. After many months of "yep, we'll get to it," my sister helped me organize two of my closets and get rid of so much crap. It's so nice to not worry things are going to fall out when you open a door.

My village

Am I proud of myself? Yes. Did I do this myself? Fuck no!

Me getting to this point is a combination of blood, sweat, tears…and a small percent are mine.

My family, friends, former colleagues…they always saw the bigger picture when I didn't. And that runs deep, y'all.

While I don't see Schmeffy much these days, any career updates I have are always received with "yes! Duh, told you!"

Same with my sweet Missy…and literally everyone else.

It was a long road to get here. Today, my boss said, "I remember almost a year ago you quietly, sheepishly asked if a raise was possible." (He didn't realize I hadn't had one.)

He was so stunned and upset he never forgot. He's among the kindest, most generous people I know.

What can I claim as mine? After all I went through the past few years, I took the time to grow into myself. Appreciate where I am, who I have around me on a level so deep, I didn't know it was possible.

And, to quote one of my favorite movies, it's really the best I've felt in a very long time.

She believed she could...

So, she did, and did it her way. I have always loved the work I do. It's exciting and impactful. Yet, working in big PR agencies is the biggest life drain. Six years ago, after a long bout of unemployment, I landed my dream job. Fully remote, in healthcare, with a boss who truly believes in work-life balance. 

Today, I'm happy to report that I was named Chief Operating Officer. I can't get Elle Woods out of my head ("what, like it's hard?"). No question, I earned it. We lost our COO last year and I asked her to tell me everything. I didn't have COO in mind, I just knew there was shit to get done and my boss would need help.

I can't tell you how exciting it is to do work and be appreciated. Life changing!

Yay, me!

Smooches,

G

The short list

Just kill the bugs and fix stuff, especially the icky.

Mid century boozy

Musings from this abnormally ridiculous workweek:

I bragged about killing it at my job for the first time. No joke, I worked my butt off and my clients are happy. 

I just thought of the best idea to go viral, which is a cocktail paired with the news of the day. The tagline is whether you're red or blue have we got a drink for you. I vetted it with my Republican cousin and he replied, "Tomorrow, maybe a Malbec. Because Argentina signaled they'd like to discuss tariffs. A step in the right direction." Bottom line: look out Nobel Peace Prize, I'm coming for ya. 

And capping it off with an hour walk with my Holly girl among the little white fluffy trees…some rose and TV. Chilling in my comfy clothes and my free Bombas thanks to a bestie with some lovely wine. Or rotting, as the kids say. 

Slay!

-G

Yes sir

They don't make them like they used to, and thank goodness for that. Old skool OG's.

Ouch, ugh, yep

Ouch:

Nothing says aging like sitting at your desk rubbing icy hot on your tennis elbow that happened doing nothing… looking at the bottle and thinking it says "hot mess" when in fact it says "no mess"

Ugh:

Taking a shower and finding out that your bathroom really wants to party with your recently painted kitchen. 

Yep:

Having the balance of your friend's husband assessing the ceiling and your friend saying "well, nothing we can do besides drinks."

Balance, IYKYK.