controllergirl's posterous

controllergirl's posterous http://controllergirl.posterous.com Most recent posts at controllergirl's posterous posterous.com Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:33:19 -0700 b.s. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/nE08AdLEoww/bs http://controllergirl.posterous.com/bs <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/xarhvsGgqHAefzleatudighgtCHJpsaqjHJyifGHmzsJrBrFkyxCecEGCfhr/p104.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P104" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/xarhvsGgqHAefzleatudighgtCHJpsaqjHJyifGHmzsJrBrFkyxCecEGCfhr/p104.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>Brussels sprouts were my nemesis as a kid. They were the leading cause of crying and tantrums at the dinner table from 1978-1983. Their very existence was a reminder that no, I couldn't push through any steamed vegetable that my mom dealt me, even if I had a large enough glass of milk with which to wash it down.<p>It all changed a year ago over dinner with an old friend. She asked if I wanted to split an order of Brussels sprouts with her. I tried to hide my Yuck Face, but it was no use. It was 1983 again, and I was flashing back to being trapped at the dinner table until I finished my vegetables. </p><p>I decided to be a grown up and give them a try. They were amazing. These were not the Brussels sprouts from my childhood, the nasty little cabbages that were steamed to within an inch of their lives. These were sautéed in butter, and had pancetta and cranberries to complete them. I was in love. </p><p>I stumbled upon some beautiful little guys at the farmers' market on Saturday, and decided to try my hand at recreating this recipe tonight, with (a lot of) help from Paula Deen.</p><p>It's not 1983 anymore. I guess its time to get rid of those Duran Duran CDs, too.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/bs">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/bs#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/nE08AdLEoww" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/bs Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:47:50 -0800 emancipation http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/9E-AG7kGnYg/emancipation http://controllergirl.posterous.com/emancipation <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/EGyf7oX5ZRfKpEzcpEB9A3JhMYKxL39CTpIHFghnzzHu8qBOtue9xeZuZBrK/IMG_1368.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_1368" height="670" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/h9W9MxxMq9Fk0IxpCLDJSsfRA9F9kGwn7E0PGoALyJ6V4utZuo71jGcT9RBY/IMG_1368.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p>I woke up crazy early this morning with energy I couldn't explain. I knew I wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep, because I started thinking about the things I needed to get done at work today. I did my usual morning social media roundup, checking my Facebook, Twitter, and RSS feeds to see what my friends were up to at this ungodly hour. </p><p /><div>It was then that I decided today was the day: I am taking my Twitter account off of lockdown and killing the privacy setting.<p /><div>I realize that this isn't earth shattering news, but it's a big deal for me. I've had it locked down to keep my private life private from a few people for quite some time. I thought it was respectful for me to keep my life to myself for a while. I went through a breakup and just wanted to work on myself and live my life, and I didn't want any random posts to start any problems. I didn't date for close to a year while I worked on myself. I realized that I had been in one relationship after another for nine years, and that I needed to find out who I was again. </div> <p /><div>The results have been awesome. I <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40">turned 40</a> and didn't have a nervous breakdown like I did at 30. I've lost 16 pounds since last summer. I've had some amazing travel experiences and learned a lot about myself. My friends are my family. I have a job that I love. <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/birthday-gratitude">My cat</a> loves me unconditionally. My life is pretty incredible. If we know each other, you're probably tired of hearing about it by now, but I can't help it. </div> <p /><div>I can't keep it all in. I don't want to.</div><p /><div>I was embarrassed about something I did in public last week, when the person I was with looked me in the eye solidly and said, "no one cares what you're doing." I always feel like someone is watching, and sometimes they are (especially when it comes to social media). Sometimes they are watching obsessively. Sometimes they aren't. None of that should matter. </div> <p /><div>I can't keep it all in. I don't want to.</div></div><p /><div>We need to shout out when things are good in our lives. Other people need to hear it. There is so much bad news in the world all of the time. Why is it okay for us to talk about that but not the good stuff? Let's start talking about the good stuff in our lives. It's not bragging, or gloating, or anything negative like that. We have to flip that mindset.</div> <p /><div>Share your goodness in the comments, if you're so inclined. </div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/emancipation">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/emancipation#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/9E-AG7kGnYg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/emancipation Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:55:38 -0800 connection http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/gD9AljZ0yuU/connection http://controllergirl.posterous.com/connection <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/fxcmFbctDvtGBkhttpewJjAufJfdsdvDfGbmiGuzAogznnAhBzohdmvmvoqb/p86.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P86" height="669" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/fxcmFbctDvtGBkhttpewJjAufJfdsdvDfGbmiGuzAogznnAhBzohdmvmvoqb/p86.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>This has been an awesome day, and I wasn't even aware of its awesomeness until I got home and it hit me all at once. <p>I had the chance to talk to some people I hadn't heard from in a while, tackled an important issue before it became a real problem, mingled with my coworkers over lunch, made a new friend in real life who I'd previously only known online, and touched base with my bff about the new job she just landed. </p><p>The common theme was connection. I felt it in all of these situations today, each of them different in their own ways, but all equally important to my inner happiness and well being. </p><p>Maybe I need to start every morning taking pictures like this one from my garden to remind me to focus on the things that matter.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/connection">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/connection#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/gD9AljZ0yuU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/connection Sat, 05 Feb 2011 11:10:24 -0800 being awesome http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/lPj7QowcuQE/being-awesome http://controllergirl.posterous.com/being-awesome <p> this post from Julien Smith rocks my world! <p /> <a href="http://inoveryourhead.net/the-short-and-sweet-guide-to-being-fucking-awesome/">http://inoveryourhead.net/the-short-and-sweet-guide-to-being-fucking-awesome/</a> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/being-awesome">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/being-awesome#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/lPj7QowcuQE" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/being-awesome Sat, 05 Feb 2011 09:43:00 -0800 Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/-OOOUyLYXzM/five-traits-low-stress-happy-work-cultures-ha http://controllergirl.posterous.com/five-traits-low-stress-happy-work-cultures-ha <p> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <p>courtesy of Lifehacker: </p> <p><span style="font-size: 19px; color: #0000ee;"><a href="http://lifehacker.com/5751875/five-traits-low+stress-happy-work-cultures-have-in-common">http://lifehacker.com/5751875/five-traits-low+stress-happy-work-cultures-have...</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 19px; color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></p> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_094544.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_094544.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a>Around the world you'll find scientifically identified pockets of happy people ranging in size from neighborhoods to entire countries. Researcher Dan Buettner spent years studying them to find out what makes them so special, and how others can emulate their success in the happiness department.</p> <p><em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanagyei/4661459810/">Nana B Agyei</a>.</em></p> <p>This week we're taking a look at the work of researcher and author Dan Buettner. Buettner has spent years studying what makes people happy around the world and what governments, communities, and individuals can do to grab a piece of this well being. Today we're going to highlight some of Buettner's tips—from his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Finding-Happiness-Blue-Zones/dp/1426205155/?ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296763771&sr=8-1&tag=gmgamzn-20">Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way</a>—on how to apply the lessons from the "blue zones"—the areas of concentrated happiness and well being he's studied like Denmark and Singapore—and apply those to your day-to-day work life—no immigration necessary.</p> <p>One thing to keep in mind while entertaining how to incorporate the following tips into your life is that each one of them has a micro and macro scale option. You can decrease the time you spend commuting, for example, by asking to work from home a few days a week, changing the time of day you commute, moving closer to work, changing jobs, or quitting and starting a job that you can work at from home. How dramatic of a change you make is constrained only by how thoroughly you desire and are able to make the change.</p> <h2>Limit Your Workweek</h2> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_095144.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_095144.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a><br /> American culture is undeniably one of Puritan work ethic and measurement of worth in financial earning. Buettner points out that the time and energy you spend working, past a certain point, has limited rewards and often takes away from the things that would make you happier in life-spending time with your family, enjoying a hobby, playing a sport, learning a new skill. Once you make a certain amount of money you're just making more money and not acquiring more happiness; a <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5632191/75000-is-the-perfect-salary-for-happiness">study we highlighted last fall</a> supports the idea of a happiness wall in financial earnings. <em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregmote/106578005/">Greg Mote</a>.</em></p> <p>Whether you limit your workweek by making small and subtle changes such as leaving your work laptop at work on the weekends or making drastic changes such as downsizing your house so you can afford to work fewer hours at a lower stress job, the fewer hours you work and the more hours you have available for the rest of life the happier you'll be.</p> <h2>Avoid Long Commutes</h2> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_100005.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_100005.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a>Among surveyed workers, commuting was their least favorite daily activity. When quantifying just how unhappy commuting made them, Buettner discovered that they'd need a nearly 40% increase in wages to be as happy as somebody who was able to walk to the very same job. Make your commute more bearable and potentially quicker by <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5109386/optimal-home-location-helps-you-find-a-commute+friendly-residence">checking out our tips and tools for commuters</a> or <a href="http://lifehacker.com/5570059/sell-the-benefits-of-telecommuting-for-an-easy-work+at+home-transition">convincing your boss that you should telecommute</a>. <em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/saucysalad/3660117504/">Rebecca Wilson</a>.</em></p> <h2>Don't Skip Vacation</h2> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_102455.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_102455.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a><br /> The average American worker doesn't even take the meager two weeks that is considered basic vacation time in most workplaces. Buettner suggestions breaking up your year with multiple vacations as research indicates that we derive almost as much pleasure from planning the vacation as we do from taking it. Four, week-long vacations over the course of the year provide 4 times as many pleasure-inducing planning periods as a single lengthy one would. It should strike no one as surprising that the majority of the "blue zones" he studies are in cultures that place an emphasis on the importance of and sanctity of regular vacationing. <em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/unclassified/3255025717/">Ahmed Amir</a>.</em></p> <h2>Enjoy Happy Hour</h2> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_094932.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_094932.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a>The happiest people inside and out of the "blue zones" were the social ones. After-hours socializing helps build relationships with your coworkers, helps you unwind, and fosters community inside and outside of the workplace, which is one of the planks of happy "blue zone" life. <em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/andycoan/3757042816/">Andy Coan</a>.</em></p> <p>If your workplace doesn't have a social element to it, seek out coworkers and start a tradition of socializing after work or on the weekends. You might not love everyone you work with, but having a social connection to them outside of office drudgery makes work more enjoyable and fosters good will. If you can't stand the thought of socializing with your current crop of coworkers consider finding somewhere else to work and, at minimum, making sure to foster a social life with non-work friends. The more hours a day you socialize the happier you'll be and every addition of a good and trustworthy friend brings as much happiness as a raise.</p> <h2>Find the Right Boss</h2> <p><a href="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/2011-02-04_101004_copy.jpg" rel="lytebox"><img src="http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/17/2011/02/500x_2011-02-04_101004_copy.jpg" alt="Five Traits Low-Stress, Happy Work Cultures Have In Common" width="500" /></a>Although it should go without saying, many people over look the importance of a good boss (or are so discouraged from years of having terrible ones that they just give up and accept poor management). Having a good boss is the single best indicator that you'll enjoy your work. Having a crappy boss is a surefire way to be miserable. <em>Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/59195512@N00/4423741740/">The Mighty Time Inconnu</a>.</em></p> <p>If you've got the boss from hell it's time to start searching for a new job (or a transfer to a different department). Good bosses provide regular feedback, provide clear requirements and expectations, and offer recognition for your work. This is the kind of advice that many people shake their heads at and say "I can't just go find another job." but the alternative is passively waiting out your bad boss and hoping that he'll be replaced by somebody better. That's no way to find happiness in the workplace.</p> <hr /> The best of of Buettner's book isn't all the tips on ways you can incorporate "blue zone" living into your life, truth be told. The tips are great and we're not down playing them, but the real value in the book is the way it functions as an expedition around the world. By seeing how people live in Denmark, Mexico, Singapore, and other countries where levels of happiness and contentment are radically higher than in the US you being to get a sense that the way you're living, the endless hours you work, and the vacations you decline are abnormal and that there is more out there than 60 hour weeks and weekends spent with the company laptop. <div style="padding: 12px; margin: 8px 0 4px 0; background: #e0e5cc; color: #737860;"><em>To read more, grab a copy of Buettner's book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thrive-Finding-Happiness-Blue-Zones/dp/1426205155/?ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296763771&sr=8-1&tag=gmgamzn-20">Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way</a> or visit his <a href="http://www.bluezones.com/">web site here</a>.</em></div> <div><a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?a=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?a=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:D7DqB2pKExk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?i=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:D7DqB2pKExk" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?a=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:qj6IDK7rITs"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0" alt="" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.gawker.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?a=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:V_sGLiPBpWU"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/lifehacker/vip?i=bO-SIOO0s7c:fdnVfEveDOQ:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0" alt="" /></a></div> </div> <p /><p /><br /> <div style="">Sent with <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/mobilerss-pro-google-rss-news/id325594202?mt=8" style="">MobileRSS for iPhone</a></div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/five-traits-low-stress-happy-work-cultures-ha">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/five-traits-low-stress-happy-work-cultures-ha#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/-OOOUyLYXzM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/five-traits-low-stress-happy-work-cultures-ha Sat, 29 Jan 2011 16:47:00 -0800 Louis Vuitton Core Values [where will life take you?] http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/wKWqf1w_bgQ/louis-vuitton-core-values-where-will-life-tak http://controllergirl.posterous.com/louis-vuitton-core-values-where-will-life-tak <p> <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <object height="417" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m5xCGZuvhWI&hl=en&fs=1" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><embed allowfullscreen="true" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m5xCGZuvhWI&hl=en&fs=1" wmode="opaque" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="417" width="500"></embed></object> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5xCGZuvhWI">youtube.com</a></div> <p>they've captured exactly how I feel about travel when I've got my journal in my hand instead of a cocktail.</p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/louis-vuitton-core-values-where-will-life-tak">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/louis-vuitton-core-values-where-will-life-tak#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/wKWqf1w_bgQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/louis-vuitton-core-values-where-will-life-tak Thu, 16 Dec 2010 22:09:23 -0800 perspective http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/cOvGDYPaSDk/perspective http://controllergirl.posterous.com/perspective <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/CnGGnIqpCttabwutbAAJqoBkHxyiFzJiFwlhlBouHxADpypDAyufcHbkbrmu/p77.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P77" height="669" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/CnGGnIqpCttabwutbAAJqoBkHxyiFzJiFwlhlBouHxADpypDAyufcHbkbrmu/p77.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>I came to the most ridiculous realization while having some peaceful time on a beach in Texas:<p>I'm not good at taking vacation. </p><p>This probably isn't a big shock for those of you who know me. However, admitting that to myself was a little tough to swallow.</p><p>I was so excited about my upcoming trip to Europe, but when people asked me about it, the first thing that came out of my mouth was that sure, I was excited, BUT I had so many projects to knock out at work before I left. </p><p>No one gives a crap about that. They wanted to be excited WITH me and FOR me, and I gave them the Debbie Downer answer. </p><p>It was time to change my perspective. Europe was waiting, and she demanded it.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/perspective">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/perspective#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/cOvGDYPaSDk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/perspective Wed, 15 Dec 2010 21:52:52 -0800 fast forward* http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/cH8JUgpR_nU/fast-forward http://controllergirl.posterous.com/fast-forward <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/DCdryvqvwnFxGwjfHezIyklkEFAolqbakceDahFuEajnsGdnpqByCBxgdpsj/p69.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P69" height="373" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/DCdryvqvwnFxGwjfHezIyklkEFAolqbakceDahFuEajnsGdnpqByCBxgdpsj/p69.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>Do you ever catch yourself, while doing something you are really enjoying, thinking ahead to the next thing? It could be work the next day, a project that needs to be done around the house, or what you need to pick up at the store later. <p>Why? Why do we allow ourselves to sacrifice our happiness, even while we are in The Moment, to dwell on mundane things that don't matter as much? </p><p>Is it just me? Why is it so difficult to 'be' where you are? Isn't that why we work so hard in the first place, so that we can spend a little time doing the things that we really love? Why are we wishing the good times away when we can enjoy THIS moment?</p><p>----------</p><p>*This was written in its entirety back in October. I was sitting on the porch of a beach house in Texas (on stilts!) looking out at the waves, and talking to my good friend's wife who I had just met moments earlier. Here we were, drinking a glass of wine on a Friday night, feeling that warm wind hit our face, listening to the waves crash...we were in That Moment...and we were talking about how much going to work on Monday was going to suck. </p><p>Seriously? I really needed to get some perspective on things that actually matter. And that started in Texas.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/fast-forward">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/fast-forward#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/cH8JUgpR_nU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/fast-forward Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:56:03 -0800 weekend baking, part 2 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/qkDqCaTMtQY/weekend-baking-part-2 http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-2 <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/ohtDDtqJyfwwfiwqeGItzexhndeuICFmGDAJuloAyCnndDsqmyauytbkjHFr/p62.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P62" height="417" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/ohtDDtqJyfwwfiwqeGItzexhndeuICFmGDAJuloAyCnndDsqmyauytbkjHFr/p62.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>Most of you know that I'm not actually the baking type. However, after yesterday's 'egg whites in a carton are not the same as real eggs' fiasco, I had to give it another shot. <p>I jumped out of bed and headed to the store. To buy eggs. Before 10am. See how possessed I was with making these damned things?</p><p>With eggs in hand, I hit the kitchen to start endurance baking. Well, that's what it felt like after prepping and baking three rounds of macaroons. This is not the world I live in, kids. </p><p>The pic above shows how the first batch came out before I tried beating the egg whites until they were stiff (man, that sounds dirty). These were my favorite batch, and they photographed well. Isn't that all that counts? Oh, and they tasted really good, too. </p><p>I won't repost the recipe until I perfect it...which means probably never. We are having the supreme budget smackdown this week with our execs from our Euro HQ, which is probably why I got fixated on baking instead of spreadsheets for once.</p><p>Avoidance is my specialty, after all.</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-2">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-2#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/qkDqCaTMtQY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-2 Sun, 05 Dec 2010 13:00:01 -0800 weekend baking, part 1 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/_YNkZeUW-tc/weekend-baking-part-1 http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-1 <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/GrDcEcuxkxBkaofdaqekgvghefrepwbvJwrjJrjDgEwsillmexiqDxgvyhAB/p56.jpg.scaled1000.jpg"><img alt="P56" height="669" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/GrDcEcuxkxBkaofdaqekgvghefrepwbvJwrjJrjDgEwsillmexiqDxgvyhAB/p56.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p>Always use real eggs, not ones that come in a carton that claim to be real eggs. </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-1">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-1#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/_YNkZeUW-tc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/weekend-baking-part-1 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 10:41:16 -0800 memories of Sacre Coeur http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/yeZoBGsdgy8/memories-of-sacre-coeur http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_video_embed'> <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur"><img alt="" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/video.posterous.com/controllergirl/mnfCxnAftFsthkyxBFqmHtpywdoshzJuBcdqopADEnECdvcoiBeweqHhFgHH/frame_0000.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>p51.mov</strong> <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur">Watch on Posterous</a> </div> </div> </p>The violinist captures the moment perfectly. </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/yeZoBGsdgy8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/memories-of-sacre-coeur Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:16:03 -0800 40 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/bFF5tmDOKS8/40 http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40 <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_video_embed'> <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40"><img alt="" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/video.posterous.com/controllergirl/yHroJdpDqzlEsJmnmjDaJrclkyAErcsCdpobBaifqwbejlvdafadsscFAubb/frame_0000.png" /></a> <div class='p_embed_description'> <strong>p42.mov</strong> <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40">Watch on Posterous</a> </div> </div> </p>The big day has come and gone. I had been planning this trip for a year, and had hoped my birthday would be one to remember. Was it? Hell yes.<p>We spent the early afternoon checking out the Arc de Triomphe (a little wind and rain wasn't going to stop us), and then headed toward the Eiffel Tower. The top was closed due to high winds, but we were still able to take the lift up to the middle area and get some amazing views of the city at night. </p><p>We wandered through the neighborhood behind the Eiffel Tower (Rue Clar?) trying to find a great place for dinner. We found it in Le Bosquet. We wound up sitting next to three ladies from Carson City and had a great time with them and with our waiter, who reminded us of a French version of Mr. Bean. </p><p>Dinner was perfect. We had escargot (snails!), which came with a lesson on how to handle them (fail!), followed by roasted lamb and chateaubriand, and the most perfect vanilla bean creme brûlée on the planet. The bottle of Bordeaux we decimated came recommended by our waiter, and was exactly what we needed after our day out in the rain. </p><p>We went for a walk after dinner and approached the Eiffel Tower from the Champs de Mars side. We were rewarded with this delicious light show* in honor of my 40th, I'm sure. ;)</p><p>Hope you all enjoy watching it here as much as I did then, although I'm not sure that's even possible. </p><p>*turn down the sound on the video unless you really like the sound of wind</p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/bFF5tmDOKS8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/40 Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:36:00 -0700 lost dog http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/jjT-9l-2BVc/lost-dog http://controllergirl.posterous.com/lost-dog <p> <p>I'm trying to help my friend find this little guy's home, and the optimist in me hopes that my little blog can help get the word out. <p /> He was found on 11/2 near a baseball field in Waterford, CA (near Modesto). He is not microchipped, and he's definitely an inside dog. Please leave a comment if you can help find his way home, and spread the word to your local peeps if you're so inclined.</p> <p> </p> <p>**UPDATE </p> <p> </p> <p>He's got a new home with my pal the rescuer, and a new name - Oliver or Ollie for short.  Welcome home, Ollie.  </p> <p> </p> <p>Sorry in advance for the multiple vet visits coming your way in the future, but it's for the best.  Trust me.  These people love you.  You came to the right place.</p> <p> </p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/RzCnfccab5Unqr4FYwjEcDWi4sBJmaolbiTlZkscz4gATZjifxHLfOoDEmEt/photo.png"><img alt="Photo" height="750" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/OzdADwVoiYERntecoGAZMfMH4CKUzvL3EUOZ92nkusE4tAiqPtbdwgy9ma7b/photo.png.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/lost-dog">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/lost-dog#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/jjT-9l-2BVc" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/lost-dog Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:28:11 -0700 budgets are awesome http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/4R1Iy1C6gZs/budgets-are-awesome http://controllergirl.posterous.com/budgets-are-awesome <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/azjVCTo1Mn2UFGpfdYRrlPSi2RK84pTNXedZdsYs1OPxhWAm3OVruwCCqcVr/budget.jpg"><img alt="Budget" height="405" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/mMN2iaWxiUgLmNch3VCkLSZhlPTOrV85AYfzg5Oepv05uu2xaCCvGTxvesL7/budget.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> <p>It's that time of year again where we crank out budgets here in our office. <p />I've been doing this the same way for a long time now: parsing out spreadsheets to department heads, consolidating results, and then trying to make sense of it all with our executive team. Every year, I try to freshen up the way we look at things, and every year I wind up keeping it the same way. My goal is to make it as simple and as painless as possible for the department heads, while gathering relevant information to help plan our business for the coming year.<p /> It's a lot of work, but I have to admit...I kind of love it. It's like my own personal [insert sports-related championship reference here]. <p />Staying hydrated is also really important. (That reminds me, is it almost time for happy hour?)<p /> Are you part of the budget process at your workplace? Tell me all about it in the comments. <br /></p> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/budgets-are-awesome">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/budgets-are-awesome#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/4R1Iy1C6gZs" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/budgets-are-awesome Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:56:00 -0700 mi familia http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/lQ6ftLMkEM4/mi-familia http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mi-familia <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/Fo65cC44UE68FFhH2TL55tnkAberMGr499AnCBx2KRVu25h1SUGaot3FgQiJ/0725015.jpg"><img alt="0725015" height="482" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/und0P1zsHBSz5cvumC7mtSgWYB5KFLgQQ9t0rYGrzKDHz4nKylnluQOauhDX/0725015.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> </p> <div>The guy who is (jokingly) strangling/making sure my mom is in the picture is Frank. Frank is the premier member of my adopted family.  He worked for my mom for over 20 years, and was the one who had to make the call to me that no one should ever have to make.  I always had a great time hanging out with him socially over the years, but after my mom passed away he became family.</div> <p /> <div>Mom was the regional operations manager for an inventory service, and started working there when I was five.  She cared a lot about her work and the people she worked with, and it showed.  She was notorious for taking a ton of pictures of her coworkers and staff at the company gatherings.  She valued fairness above most other things, and I find myself trying to channel her when faced with tough situations both at work and in my personal life. I hear her answers loud and clear on a regular basis.</div> <p /> <div>My mom would have been 57 last Friday.  As he does every year, Frank posted a shout out to my mom on Facebook for her birthday, and posted up this shot as his profile picture for the day.  He no longer works for the inventory service, but is still friends with a lot of people from his time there.  </div> <p /> <div>One person posted something on his wall that prompted this blog post.  She said, "I still think about her a lot.  Taught us all great lessons in life. And never took my shit!  Miss you, Chrys!"</div> <p /> <div>I think that is exactly how my mom would want to be remembered.</div> <p /> <p /> <div>.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mi-familia">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mi-familia#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/lQ6ftLMkEM4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mi-familia Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:29:00 -0700 dilbert on social media, part 2 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/keF8FlHtvIY/dilbert-on-social-media-part-2 http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-2 <p> <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/jEfJxEtwcFjoJzkybGinjDrDyixcydIwkIycJeJCfHJmildubCBpHubpjDrk/media_httpwwwdilbertc_evmJH.gif.scaled1000.gif"><img alt="Media_httpwwwdilbertc_evmjh" height="155" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/jEfJxEtwcFjoJzkybGinjDrDyixcydIwkIycJeJCfHJmildubCBpHubpjDrk/media_httpwwwdilbertc_evmJH.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /></a> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.dilbert.com/2010-09-14/">dilbert.com</a></div> <p></p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-2">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-2#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/keF8FlHtvIY" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-2 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:04:00 -0700 dilbert on social media, part 1 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/KY1o1Q99J6s/dilbert-on-social-media-part-1 http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-1 <p> <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/ewjkArGdtrEwgqGklycBpgnxoblHfxCJjzoessBCAlFpiletbpCyEbfndphH/media_httpwwwdilbertc_idmri.gif.scaled1000.gif"><img alt="Media_httpwwwdilbertc_idmri" height="155" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/ewjkArGdtrEwgqGklycBpgnxoblHfxCJjzoessBCAlFpiletbpCyEbfndphH/media_httpwwwdilbertc_idmri.gif.scaled500.gif" width="500" /></a> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://www.dilbert.com/2010-09-13/">dilbert.com</a></div> <p></p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-1">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-1#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/KY1o1Q99J6s" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/dilbert-on-social-media-part-1 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:39:00 -0700 mission accomplished http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/mly14n1q1J4/mission-accomplished http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mission-accomplished <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/YKKDygMimWEelCsAVUkeKekPugRMyry7XGMmmc6wOdvQca2nJwszw1HmLVI0/gifts0110.jpg"><img alt="Gifts0110" height="350" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/nKGCC6QyP83S2iYIhEqC7xJxC7hIY9s4k19XtucLNMbqvjmDdkA6kypdJrL9/gifts0110.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p> </p> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div class="gmail_quote">Final score = 17-3 in the #TR30days challenge.  Team Fail only scored a field goal.  I can live with that.</div> <div class="gmail_quote">Here's the final play by play, for those of you keeping score at home:</div> <p /> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong>WOO HOO - I DID IT!</strong></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong><br /></strong>walk 30 min every day</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I didn't make it out every day, but I made up for the days I missed with longer walks.  It felt good to sweat!</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div class="gmail_quote">cook healthy food at home 3x/week</div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"> <div class="gmail_quote">no coffee</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I can't wait to go to Starbucks in the morning, although I think decaf will be strong enough.</em></div> <div class="gmail_quote"><br /> no sodas</div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">no fast food</div> <p /> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">log all meals into Weight Watchers plan online</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I even lost 2 lbs.  Need to find other ways to incorporate this into my normal routine.</em><p /></div> </div> <div class="gmail_quote">no watching television at home</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>It was awesome having so much free time!</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">read one hour per day (actual books, not blogs)</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>finished 2 books, and am dying to read more</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">write a blog post at least once a week</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>lucky you!</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">totally clean one room of my house every five days</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>came in under the wire on this one - had to finish cleaning the bathrooms before I sat down to write this</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">pull the damn weeds in the backyard</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>we'll skip the part about how they are growing back already. my nemesis!</em></div> <div class="gmail_quote"><br />clean out garage clutter</div> <div class="gmail_quote">make a charity donation from the cleanup efforts<p /> </div> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">get up at 6am on work days and get to it</span></strong></div> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;"><em>I am totally sleeping in tomorrow morning (until at least 7!)</em></span></strong></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">no eating lunch at my desk</span></strong></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">get ten things off of my To Do list that have been lingering for longer than a month (GTD)</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><br /> no staying at work later than 6pm</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I cannot believe I pulled this off!</em></div> <p /> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote"><strong>ALMOST, BUT NOT QUITE</strong></div> <p /> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">finish my estate plan</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>Received the draft last night, and will review it before I go to sleep.  It has taken me five years to get this far, so a</em><em>t least it's on its way to being finished. </em></div> <div class="gmail_quote"> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">limit social media to 30 min per day</div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I threw that goal out on week one, but it's still a fail from the initial commitment.</em></div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">surprise at least one friend with something special on his/her birthday (not just a text/email/tweet/wall post) </div> <div class="gmail_quote"><em>I still have a shot to pull this out before my bff's birthday party on Sat, but she is the hardest person to shop for in all of history.</em></div> <p /> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">So there you have it, sports fans.  Thanks for sharing this journey with me.  I've already been asked what my next 30 days looks like, but I think I'll just try to focus on incorporating some of these things into my normal routine.  That would be the best win of all for now.  When the next wild hair hits, you'll definitely hear about it!</div> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">(photo credit to Marcie Wilson, aka the best paparazzi ever)</div> <p /> <p /> <div class="gmail_quote">.</div> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mission-accomplished">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mission-accomplished#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/mly14n1q1J4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/mission-accomplished Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:51:00 -0700 progress...70% complete http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/8qdAExN2kSM/progress70-complete http://controllergirl.posterous.com/progress70-complete <p> <p><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/0W3Cl8nxRH3CB3wfRAN5s7bLc0TkRZ7kDq9D4xerbpMf9InwENtXqo4IcAyE/IMG_4491.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Img_4491" height="375" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/NJlc0PxT5p0sD3y0qsvR2yyCvtJMHF93zDFLiH5G9tfXoevKLa4xGY5S0AyF/IMG_4491.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div> </p> <p>I'm nearing the end of Day 21 of my #TR30days commitment, so it's time to check in and see how it's going.</p> <p /> <p /> <div><strong>Major Accomplishments For The Week:</strong></div> <p /> <div>*  cleaning out the garage (see the beauty in the pic above)</div> <p /> <div>*  filled my truck with a charity donation of all the reusable stuff from the garage</div> <p /> <div>*  completed 21 days without coffee, soda, or fast food </div> <div>wow, I seriously miss those peppermint mochas!</div> <p /> <div>*  knocked three ancient things off of my To Do list</div> <p /> <p /> <div><strong>What's Left To Finish By Next Week (9/9)?</strong></div> <p /> <div>*  try to keep from being tempted to watch the shows that have built up on the DVR  </div> <div>I totally want to watch Lie To Me.</div> <p /> <div>*  surprise a friend with something special on their bday</div> <div>I have two chances at this coming up, and just need to figure out the "special" part.</div> <p /> <div>*  major house cleaning must ensue</div> <div>I predict that Labor Day weekend is going to be chock full o' Labor.</div> <p /> <div>*  my estate plan...the bane of my existence (ironically speaking)</div> <div>That one is in someone else's very qualified hands, so hopefully they can finish it up soon.</div> <p /> <div>*  knock four more things off my To Do list at work that have lingered for longer than a month </div> <div>I'm so close on some major items, but need our bank and attorneys to help me out!</div> <p /> <p /> <p /> <div>Have I mentioned how much I like seeing stuff in lists like this?  Holy motivation!  Send me some goodness, y'all!</div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/progress70-complete">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/progress70-complete#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/8qdAExN2kSM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/progress70-complete Sat, 28 Aug 2010 09:36:49 -0700 a brief guide to life | zen habits http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~3/AGqvCfJQAzU/a-brief-guide-to-life-zen-habits http://controllergirl.posterous.com/a-brief-guide-to-life-zen-habits <p> <div class="posterous_bookmarklet_entry"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Media_httpzenhabitsne_eihea" height="299" src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/controllergirl/iumfjEAkdAAmBvsBwxHGlunxbBCksCmdcEulEFiCskqinwDgDAxjuebiuEyB/media_httpzenhabitsne_EiHEA.jpg.scaled500.jpg" width="366" /> </div> <div class="posterous_quote_citation">via <a href="http://zenhabits.net/brief-guide/">zenhabits.net</a></div> <p>I can't put enough stars next to this in my reader...posting it here as a more permanent reminder for when I start to stray.</p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/a-brief-guide-to-life-zen-habits">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://controllergirl.posterous.com/a-brief-guide-to-life-zen-habits#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/controllergirlposterous/~4/AGqvCfJQAzU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1009318/IMG_2801.JPG http://posterous.com/users/36oRUXRjSu09 Teresa Morris . Teresa Morris http://controllergirl.posterous.com/a-brief-guide-to-life-zen-habits