Friday, September 3, 2010

living up to my title.....



I dream of living up to my title....

I would say it was probably about 3 months before Becca’s graduation that I lost control of everything. I will admit I have never been the greatest secretary. I always say that when I married Rob he was in the Air Force and worked from 8:30 – 4:30. The first year of our marriage I babysat my twin nephews and the last year we were in Texas I worked at Victoria’s Secret (now that was a FUN job). We use to be able to have supper together while sitting on the couch watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. It truly seems like another life and basically it was.

And yet now here I am living half a world away with the title of Secretary. I am constantly reminding our accountant that I NEVER asked for this job. Anything with numbers breaks me out in hives. For the first few years that we were here Rob took care of all the bookwork that went along with the business. This included taking the box full of receipts to his mom’s house when it was time to do taxes. I am not even kidding when I tell you that I was probably 24 years old before Rob’s mom sat me down and taught me how to balance a checkbook. I think mainly because she feared I was going to drag her son into bankruptcy. I had no concept of budgeting or what things cost. And being very naïve we had our personal and business in one account. So when we got paid for a job I thought it meant I had more money to spend. I didn’t know how much had to go towards fuel and gravel and other expenses…whoops…(I would like to think I have come a LONG way since then – thankfully...)

I had several different jobs when we first moved here. But eventually we realized that we were money ahead after having our children for me to stay home with them and do the bookwork for the business. We are now incorporated and have an employee and have grown quite a bit since we first began our journey. Gone are the days of boxes of receipts and 1 page tax returns. We are on to taxes the size of an encyclopedia and a bookwork that requires hours of computer time.

All that said, I sit here in my office trying once again to be a good secretary. I wish that I kept on top of things and was more organized than I am. Not that I haven’t tried every kind of organizational idea imaginable but they just don’t stick. I think the reason why I get frustrated is because I get too busy with other stuff and the bookwork gets postponed until I have “time”. And therefore I find myself apologizing for forms that get sent late or waiting so long that I forget what I needed to do. So for me bookwork brings stress...yes, self-inflicted but stress all the same.

But today is a new day! I know I have said this before but I really do want to do better. My husband works so hard and does an amazing job I owe it to him and our company to be more invested in what I do here. It is strange that even these past few years I have called myself a stay at home mom. Even though my kids are teenagers, pretty independent and rarely even home..LOL! I think it is about time I release myself of that title…….(Gasp, I didn’t know I was going to blog that today…I didn’t even know it was in my head..hhmmm…) But I think it is time that I find a new title. First on the list Secretary…

I can’t image that I am the only one who has had some “job” forced upon them. Something you didn’t ask to do and yet it has to be done. Something that makes you exhausted, frustrated and unappreciated. Maybe you are caring for an aging parent or maybe it’s teaching a Sunday School class. Maybe you adopted a child and it’s way more work than you imagined. And for many it might be parenting in general. I know at one point you probably verbalized that you wanted kids but this isn’t what you signed up for...LOL…. Today I dream for you the ability to step outside of the situation and be able to look at things objectively and long term. What you’re doing is good and it is worthy. Take a nice LOOONG breath and look for positives in what you are doing. Because I assure you they are there. If you just can't seem to find anything you can always call me and I will be happy to assist…Love you my friend…

5 comments:

niha said...

Y'know, sometimes, it is so discouraging when I don't see the positive impact from the things that I hate doing, yet know I need to. It helps to be reminded that we are living for the line and not the dot!

Linda Jo said...

AMEN Niha!!! I remember a very wise man telling us that! Have a wonderful day!

Jenny Wallace said...

Number 1 I do not think you should call what you do for rob a secretary. You are way more then that if you are doing all of the office work. I personally think that you should give yourself the title of "Office Manager.". I am totally serious about this. I know exactly what it is like to be you and even worse to try and do it in your own home. That is the advantage that I have, I have an office and a work desk and a work computer that I can go to two days a week to completely focus on work. I can see why you get distracted when trying to get things done. Give yourself a break and give yourself a new IMPROVED title. Don't use the old fashion, politically incorrect, demeaning title of secretary. You are way more then that!!

Linda Jo said...

oohh - that is so sweet Jen...you almost made me cry. I know that you know Exactly what I go through. I think I might take your advice on the updated title. I like that! Thank you so very much! Love Ya!

Jenny Wallace said...

Make some business cards too! You know those bankers and insurance guys, etc.,etc., will need them. !! Love you too!