Allie Potts's Blog, page 32

Ignorance may be bliss, but experience maintains paradise

The crystal water beaches that give the area its name. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My eldest son will join the school aged set in only a couple of weeks and we decided to celebrate this milestone by taking a trip to the beach along with my niece and nephews. It was the first time half of our group had ever seen the ocean.

While our rental has an ocean view, it was not beach front. Even though we had reached our destination, we still had to make our way over the dunes by way of steep wooden stairs...

Sometimes the ends don’t justify the means

The US patent and trademark office announced last Wednesday that it was cancellingthe Washington Redskins Football team’s protection, but this decision doesn’t only concern the National Football League. Let me be perfectly clear – I recognize that their team name contains an ugly slur. I am in no way supporting the team’s decision to continue using it. I would not use the term to discuss anything other than the football team, but that is my choice. I can also choose not to buy tickets, mercha...

The consequences of misplaced anger

escaping of the sunset…. (Photo credit: bernat…)

We were released early from work on the Friday before MemorialDay and I peeled out of the lot looking forward to treating myself with a little summer wardrobe shopping before I had to pick up the boys from day care. I snickered thinking of my husband still stuck at his office, toiling away, while I got to indulge in free time. I wanted to call him and say ‘nana nana boo boo’. At a particularly long light, I glanced around for my phone, only to r...

It’s not cheating, it’s called changing the parameters

I’m Possible – Audrey Hepburn Quote | VisualizeUs (Photo credit: Wicker Paradise)

I love food, and my husband can do some wonderful things in the kitchen, but mealtimes areone of the most stressful times of the day for me. All because my toddler has strong opinions what he does and does not want to eat.

My older son hadn’t always been willing to eat his food either. Beginningfrom the time he was his brother’s age, each time he managed to eat everything on his plate, we broke out into a little s...

It is time to de-clutter the organized chaos

(Photo credit: marsmet546)

As part of my recent promotion I was invited to move into a larger office. Moving the computer was easy, but moving the rest of my assorted nick knacks and relics from projects I worked on two jobs ago was something altogether different.

I like a relatively tidy work-space. My stapler and tape dispenser are hidden away because I once heard that was a trick to make you appear more important to outsiders as it implied you have people to take care of your stapling needs...

Don’t just say no, say yes to something more important

Eightmonths. I only have to make it though another eight months…

That’s when, my youngest, my little lord tyrant (and I say that with love), will be three years old. Intellectually, I know that the terrible twos don’t magically end just because the calendar changes, but it’s a date I am currently clinging to like a life raft.

No, I don’t like it! (Photo credit: pand0ra23)

We had another dinner stand-off the other night. I was determined that my toddlerat least try the food on his plate. It was d...

Mistakes happen, but life goes on

I recently finished reading Jessica Bacal’sMistakes I Made at Work: 25 Influential Women Reflect on What They Got Out of Getting It Wrong. I was intrigued by the title and drawn into the promise that the book would feature, well at the risk of repeating the obvious, women in power admitting they had made mistakes.

Admitting a mistake in the privacy of your own office is hard enough, but these woman were asked to detail their mistakes with the understanding that the interviews would then be pub...

We all need attitude adjustments sometimes

Alan Cohen To make the world a better place, see the world as a better place (Photo credit: symphony of love)

In one month I am going to be the proud parent of a kindergartener. I’ve already verified that I have more than one package of tissues ready in the house. I’m as ready as I can be. He, on the other hand is more than ready. He can read more than a few sight words, knows his numbers and letters, and can perform some basic addition and subtraction. His day care teaches all these Pre-K bas...

Execution is equal parts dream, deadline, and determination

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.” — Napoleon Hill (Photo credit: QuotesEverlasting)

Nine months ago, I was finalizing my debut novel, An Uncertain Faith. It was a story that I had toyed with in my mind for several years. I was fortunate enough to have a sabbatical from the day job during which time I wrote until my fingers hurt. My youngest hadn’t started walking yet and was content to sit in a corner of the room playing with his toys.

I had dreamed of being an author and now I had a book to...

Staying on the lookout for the win

I recently came across a discussion topic regarding a woman’s recent decision to join the entrepreneur set. She wanted to know what others felt was the most important element to consider with regards to going into business for one’s self. I answered, you have to be careful to surround yourself with the right people.

Caution sign for an open pit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In my household we know only too well what can go wrong for your business when you hire the wrong person for the job.I’ve rece...