Windows 7 and the Virtual PC

I bought a new computer in October and guess what? A program I use (ACT! 2000) and Vista did not play nice. So, I had to install ACT! on my husband’s computer, ask the client for a complete sync and jump from one computer to the next. Which was not too bad, but if the husband was using his computer, it caused some scheduling issues. For some reason, he did not appreciate me dumping him out of his chair so that I could access the computer.

Well, my husband is an engineer and bless his little heart, he is always looking for ways to make life easier for me. (Too bad that has not included winning the lotto ‘yet’.) We upgraded to Windows 7 but still had that issue – mainly because I did not try to see if ACT! 2000 would run on it. However, the husband found a solution! We had to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional, but the solution is pretty slick so far.

Microsoft has a download that creates a virtual pc on your computer that runs XP. We have installed it, installed ACT! 2000, and I decided to use Outlook Express (since that was on the virtual pc) to sync updates. Yeppers! All works, except the printer. I just have to install the drivers on that virtual pc to get those to work I believe.

So, all-in-all, a decent solution to a Vista nightmare. And, my husband gets his computer back.

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31 Days of Self Care – Days 1-4

I have taken on a promise to myself to do some thing differently this year, which amazingly enough, fall in line with the 31 Days of Self Care. What I have done so far is:

Gone to a movie and lunch with friends (sans husband)
Read each morning
Had New Year’s Day dinner with family along with games (never, ever play games with my family unless you enjoy competition!)
Took my son grocery shopping – we spent some real quality time together
Said ‘No’ to a potential client, but referred them to others
Signed up for a shopping cart class/modules through the Shopping Cart Queen

I think this is going to be an amazing year!

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Wish – Day 30 Inspirational People

Although I have not kept up with the 30 Days of Wishes in writing, I do think of them each day. However, this is a special wish for everyone.

I wish for each of you to experience one true inspirational person in your life.

I know of many people who are truly inspirational and even know some personally. One of them is Juanita Cosslett CPS. I have known Juanita since 2001, when I joined the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Man, was she intimidating! She knew parliamentary procedure, knew all about IAAP, and more. She mentored, cajoled, critiqued meetings, and touched many, many people. She was a Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division President in 2000 and won a Distinguished President’s Award for increasing membership.

She truly believed that each member was unique and could do anything with the right guidance.

We traveled to several CWM Division meetings together for the last 9 years. One of the best trips was my first International Meeting in Albuquerque NM. They made the misguided assumption that I knew directions and let me drive part of the way home to Grand Junction, CO. Needless to say, we took an unintended side trip of about 100 miles – because I took a wrong turn. My friends now know that I get lost just going across the hallway to the bathroom.

She encouraged me to run for IAAP offices, including CWM Division President, a position I held from 2007-2009. The first virtual assistant to hold a division presidency. She loved IAAP and was strong in her belief that it was a member’s organization and not a business.

Juanita unexpectedly died on Christmas Eve, and I still expect her to jump up and say, “Rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated!”

She touched so many people with her wisdom kindness and encouragement.

This is what Tish Neff says about Juanita:

“Juanita’s passing grieves me inexpressibly; I cannot hold back my tears. Her passing leaves a void in our hearts and in our organization.
Sorrow fills our hearts at this moment; a sorrow that is very deep and personal for many of us.

I shall always remember Juanita for her integrity, her boundless enthusiasm for whatever task she took in hand, and for the warm and glowing brightness and courage of her friendship. She was so generous with giving her knowledge and support to others.

May I join in extending to her family, her friends, and to the members who knew her my heartfelt sympathy, and my prayers…”

Nancy Upchurch CPS/CAP says:

“Juanita will be missed by so many because she touched so many lives. She was a very special lady and a great mentor to members in the CWM Division. I cherish the memories with her. One that stands out is the IAAP Road Warriors when she was Division President. We ventured to Cody and Gillette, Wyoming, in blizzard conditions to assist in their IMPACT meetings. We were often times in knee-deep snow and unable to see the edge of the roads…but we had great quality time together, helped build those two chapter, and had so much fun…just one of the memories that will last a lifetime. My heart goes out to her family at this difficult time. I know we have another angel to watch over us…a very special angel. Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”

May you touch another person in some way today that inspires them!

Godspeed my friend!

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Wishes #4-7

Wow! Time flew by and already December 7 is almost done and in the books.

For my wishes to all (and all a good night) -

#4 – May you meditate, get in the flow, and have a miracle happen. The miracle does not have to be huge, but noticeable enough that makes you go ‘Whoa!”
# 5 – I wish everyone enjoys the kisses of a puppy.
# 6 – May you enjoy putting up decorations for Christmas. Even though you may be the only one in the house unpacking, unwrapping, and placing the decorations in just the right spot while others sit there and manage or just watch!
#7 – My wish is that everyone appreciates our service people, especially on December 7. Their sacrifice for our freedoms – freedom to disagree, freedom to believe what we want, freedom to walk where we want, and more – is without compare.

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Wish #3 – Random Acts of Kindness

I wish for everyone to experience a random act of kindness. Give someone an unexpected hug, smile, wave, open the door for them, pay for the coffee/tea/groceries for the person who is in line behind you, or just any random act of kindness that might show up.

It will do your heart good!

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Wish #2 – Be in the Flow

I wish for you to be in the flow as you go through your day. Do some day dreaming and feel the flow of energy and the Universe around you as you make your way through the day.

Day dreaming is very, very hard for me. My husband can do it so easily and I am, unfortunately, more a grounded (too grounded) realist. So day dreaming is work for me. But, I am getting better at it. I meditate, listen to awesome music and day dream while sending out good energy and feelings.

As I day dream, it helps focus on client work and being in the moment.

So – I wish for you a day dreamer’s moment today!

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31 Days of Wishes

The wonderful and talented individuals Stacy Brice and Heather Hinson have continued with the next logical step from their 30 Days of Thanks event with the 31 Days of Wishes.

My wish for today is for everyone to help themselves to a big dose of self-forgiveness.

Why? For some reason, I am a perfectionist. And, it drives me and others around me crazy. I cannot stand to make mistakes or be less than perfect. When I do make mistakes, because I am ’so’ not perfect. I spend more time worrying about the affect of that mistake on others. And, as I fret about not making mistakes, it usually causes me to make another because I am so intense on not making one. It usually turns out really okay. And, I find that I am making a much bigger deal out of it than anyone else. In addition, if others were thinking that frequently about me — well, you get the idea!

So, with that leftover turkey, have a nice big helping of self-forgiveness.

“Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” Samuel Beckett

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30 Days of Thanks – Grateful for Lots!

I have missed posting what I have been thankful for the last week or so. Life rather got in the way, but by doing this adventure, I would often find myself thinking about what I was grateful for – just didn’t get it written down.

We did something different for Thanksgiving this year. My husband, two dogs and I all went camping over the holiday. Now, that meant a lot of sacrifice on my part, because I missed the Black Friday shopping. This has been a tradition for at least 10 years and I love getting up at 1:00am and meeting my sister-in-law, nieces, and others at the mall by 3:00am. I have had the pleasure of being first in line at KMart once.

However, the weather is beautiful and in the high 40s, so camping was pulling on me. We loaded up Thanksgiving Day (after my kids left to go to their dad’s) and off we went. We camped in SE Utah in Yellow Cat, where we can see the backside of Arches National Monument. I read, watched some tv, read some more, hiked, did some target shooting, read some more, and we had a blast. We did bury the trailer hitch and front truck tires in the sand when leaving, but hey – a little adventure is good. Only took us 10 minutes to get out.

I am thankful for being able to choose where and how to spend my time and in a beautiful area like Grand Junction, Colorado.

I am thankful for my kids stopping by to see us and spend one night with us before heading off to Denver.

I am thankful for who I am. I have worked hard to be me, and it is always a work in progress.

I will continue to write down (somewhere) what I am thankful for each day and that the fact I can breathe, walk, hug, love, cry, smile, laugh, and more is worth be ever grateful on those days where everything seems to be rather gloomy.

And, really, really thankful my trailer had a heater!

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30 Days of Thanks – Day 12

Friends. I am so thankful for the friends in my life. I met up with one for a girl’s night out and she is truly a person everyone should know.

We first met each other when we were single moms, with 3 kids each, and it was the best. We have known each other for more than 20 years. The best part of our friendship? We can go 8 months without talking to each other and when we get together it is like we had talked yesterday. And, we were both born in December!

Cherish your friends – they are a one in a million!

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30 Days of Thanks – Day 11

I think this may be the most important day of all of the 30 days. Veterans Day.

First, I want to thank every single person who has ever been in, is currently serving, or thinking about joining the service. I am from the Viet Nam era. My husband served in Viet Nam, my dad in Korea, my grandfather in WW1, my cousins have been in the army, Marines, and more. My cousin Sandy was killed two weeks before he was to come home from Viet Nam.

I simply cannot express my appreciation enough or loudly enough for what you do. The strength that it takes to offer such sacrifices is lost on a lot of people who really don’t know, don’t appreciate, or cannot fathom what it takes and because of that – why we are a free republic and country.

Thank you!

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