Business travel

I've been out of town the past 2 weeks for work. Jim & I went to Portland one week to have some meetings with the Product Services group and to spend some time with Tom & Carol. Tom is an Associate Recruiter on our team and Carol is our Coordinator. They both formally report to me so it was good to get to spend time with them in person.

It was a busy week! My days were packed with meetings and my nights were packed also. Jim and I had dinner at Carol's house on Monday night, I met up with Amy & Mitzi on Tuesday night, and then we had a team dinner at a FABULOUS place called Lovely's 50/50 with the team on Wednesday night. Here we all are (Jim, Tom, Tom's finance Susan, me, Carol's husband Evan, and Carol).

The week went by fast, but I definitely missed Ryan and Madison Claire. For the most part, I've felt good about going back to work and haven't been plagued with a consistent "mommy guilt". I usually try to do a good job of managing my time throughout the day so that when Annie leaves, I don't have to work anymore and can spend the time with Madison. One day a few weeks ago, I hadn't managed my time well and had a few emails that I had to get out after Annie left. I was in the living room with Madison Claire and I would play with her for a few minutes and then pick up my computer and send an email and then go back and play with her. That cycle continued a few times and then when I went to pick up my computer, she came over and pulled on my legs and looked at me with these big blue eyes and started doing the "more" sign - like she was saying "more Mommy, more Mommy". It's also really hard when I have to be away for a few days. This week when I was away, Annie said that Madison Claire would go up to our bedroom door (which was closed) and pat on it and say "Mama, Mama" like she thought I was in there. One night Ryan was playing with her and she dropped something that set off our "glass break" alarm and caused the system to chime like it normally does when a door opens. Ryan said she threw down her toys and practically ran to the garage door because she thought I was coming home. BREAK MY HEART!!!!

This past week, I was in Orlando for our annual methodology conference. As usual, it was great to get to spend time with all of my colleagues! I'm so thankful for the work friendships I've made over the past 8 years. One of my mentors, Steve Norris, is leaving the company in May and we had a "Toast & Roast" for him at the Management Team Reception on Wednesday night. Kate and I spoke together. I talked about how I first met Steve back in the Fall of 2003 when I was an analyst and we were both stranded at the airport in Nashville trying to get to Portland for the fall conference. A friendship was born and he continued to meet with me quarterly over the past 7 years just to touch base. He cared about me & my development even though I wasn't in a position to provide any direct return to him (I never worked on any of his projects). For that, I will always be appreciative. Ryan & I are so thankful that Steve & his wife Missy live in Nashville so we can continue to remain friends.

I'll update about all of the other work drama later. For now, I'm happy to be home and won't have to travel again for work until late June. WOO HOO!