Too busy.

I love my job. I'll always start with that because it somehow makes me feel better about all the hours I spend doing it. People hear who I work for and wonder how it can be that big of a deal but we are serious about what we do. We have project teams, strategic planning 3 years in advance, and read hundreds of pages of research in an effort to try our best to succeed in our mission. A majority of our staff (cause, let's be honest, there are always folks who aren't engaged) is deeply dedicated to our "cause" and give lots of extra hours, tons of heart, and lots of brain power to keep us moving in the right direction.


That being said. I'm exhausted. I don't feel like I can give my home life the attention that it needs and I feel guilty for wanting to be successful in both my work and home life. Can you really have it both ways? Someone told me recently that if they had to choose between a successful career that they felt good about and a family that they would choose a family - simply because they didn't think they could give both 100%. Does it have to be all or nothing? I don't even have children that I am trying to raise and I already struggle with spending enough time on either work or home. If you give too much at home, work thinks you aren't dedicated. If you give too much at work, your family and home suffer. Honestly, if I had to choose, I would pick a healthy family and those relationships over work. But I love what I do and I feel like I am pretty good at it. Can you have both? Weigh in here folks, I need some insight.


That being said, I will be in Knoxville or out of town for 12 out of the 21 working days in March. Between team meetings, presenting at a conference, a staff meeting, and multiple 2 day meetings for the big project team I am working with, I won't be home much. I feel really bad about it for some reason. I know that Chad works second shift and it isn't like he'll be home at night most nights if I was there but I feel guilty. He's not getting the best of me when I am there and he surely isn't getting the best of me when I am in a hotel in Knoxville. But I believe in the work we are doing. Deeply. But I come home and I don't want to do dishes or vacuum because I am just too tired. Is there a happy medium? I have plans to take 3 days off the end of March to hang out with my guy. He wanted to burn some vacation time and I am all too happy to oblige. Is that the compromise? Work hard and then play hard but don't try to do both?

My valentine.

 

Chad had to work on Valentine's Day so I ended up at dinner with his uncle and parents and some friends. It wasn't a bad way to spend the evening - Uncle J and I even went to look at appliances. You know you are an adult when....oh well.

Chad was, however, off this weekend so we had big plans to spend the days together. On Saturday, we went to sweet C's birthday party. I can't believe he is 2 years old and we have so enjoyed watching him grow - and his parents are wonderful friends. You can see the joy of Jesus in their lives and in their parenting. It is sweet to see. Anyway...Chad and I left there and snuck to Rembrants, a local coffee shop.

I had a lovely pot of tea and Chad had decaf coffee (and claims his own brew at home is better).

 

My mom asked for pictures of our treats but I sort of forgot to take a picture until it was mostly eaten. Sorry Mom. I had a delicious éclair and Chad had a muffin. His was long gone before the camera came out.

 

But trust me, it was delicious.

I did manage to paint my nails for the occasion. Hearts for fun.

 

We enjoyed some lazy time together the rest of Saturday and Sunday...and ended our weekend with a trip to the local observatory that the university owns now. Apparently they do this weekly get together but invite the public - who ever is interested in coming - so we went! They talked about telescopes, we watched a little planetarium show, and then they let us go look through the BIG telescope (you know, the kind that points out the domed roof!). They had it pointed at Jupiter, one the brightest spots in our night sky, and we saw at least 3 moons and Jupiter's rings. I am a little space obsessed and I thought it was the coolest thing. I am really thankful Chad knows my love of space and took me. What a guy...

All in all, it was a lovely weekend with my favorite dude.  

February Birchbox!

It is Birchbox time! This was a pretty good box this month - it looks like they partnered with Us Weekly (magazine) but I am not really sure where anything different or special happened because of it. That's ok with me since it is basically a gossip mag - something I am interested in having less of in my life. :)

Upon first opening...the theme looks like Step. Pose. Repeat. I know this is NY Fashion Week so maybe that is the connection.

Here are all the goodies before inspection...

This is Dr. Brandt brand "Pores No More" pore refiner. I don't think I really have a problem with large pores but sometimes I use products like this before my foundation when I am really trying to pull it all together. So, I'll stock it away!

This is the "lifestyle extra" for my box this month - 32Oral Care brand effervescent breath crystals. I am not sure if i will be able to convince myself to use them since they pop in your mouth - I'm a sensory gal. Mint flavored Pop Rocks aren't my jam but I will probably stick them in my desk drawer at work in case I need them! :)

I am excited about trying another product from the Beauty Protector line of haircare. I loved the last one - a spray de-tangler, heat protector,  and this one is similar. It is the Protect and Oil product and defends against UV rays, heat, and breakage. I like to use these on days I know I will be drying and curling my hair - I think it really helps!

I edited my beauty profile to include "no more than 6 perfume samples" per year and they have actually done a good job of that. I was getting one in every box and now I only get one in about every 3rd box so that is nice...makes me more exited to get other things and more excited about perfumes when they do show up. This is another Juicy Couture brand scent "La La Malibu"...smells nice. I'll add it to the collection in the bathroom and use it periodically. 

This is the thing I am actually most excited about. Ruby Wing brand nailpolish that changes colors in the sun. Oh yes. Excited. The color is called Kitten Heels and it changes from the bright pink to a darker magenta pink...I might whip this out next time I paint my nails. I am desperate to change to bring spring colors! :)

All in all, a fun and interesting box. Thanks to the person that gifts these to me every month! :)