Kristy Maute

Embrace where you are

Cole copying how Alex is sitting on the steps

After the high I felt yesterday after my job interview, it was incredibly hard to make the commute this morning to my current job that lacks the energy and sense of satisfaction I felt during my interview. But sometimes we have to deal with reality as it is today, not as what we want it to be in the future. While I don’t like my job, it gives me freedom to create my own schedule. It allows me to put Cole on the bus in the mornings. It gives me time to read my favorite blogs. My reality today is that I am working in this current job, and sometimes you just have to embrace what you have right now. While I’m waiting for my right job, I need to embrace this job. I need to quit focusing on the negatives. I need to remind myself that this job pays my bills, is stress-free (mostly!), allows me to work with some really nice people, and never spills over into my personal life. I definitely value all of those qualities.

When I got to work today, I took a few minutes for myself and looked over my training plan. It’s hanging on the wall right beside my computer. The idea of hanging it beside my computer was so I would look at it daily. It also serves as a daily reminder to run. Well, I wasn’t looking at it close enough. In my last post about running I mentioned that I was sick of running in time increments. Guess what? This week I don’t have to anymore! I’m up to running 1 mile, 1.5 miles, and 2 miles this week. YAY! How did I miss that! I was so caught up in the pattern of running times, I just assumed I would go to a 5:1 ratio.

Newly reenergized by my discovery, I headed out on my run (Not Run/Walk!). 1 mile. I have to be honest. I wasn’t feeling confident going into the run. After my last run, I really wanted to walk after 4 minutes. When I hit the 4 minute mark, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that 3 months ago I was running up to 18 miles. It is just 1 mile. My body knows what to do. My stress fracture is healed. I do not have any pain in my femur. I set visual markers along the road where I was allowed to look at my watch, and I just kept going. And I did it. I ran 1 mile, and it felt great! Friday’s run is 1.5 miles, and Sunday’s run is 2 miles. After that it’s time to start training again for a race.

When Christian and I talked babies before in the past, I knew I wanted to run a full marathon before we had one of our own. The plan was to go off of the pill after the Shamrock Marathon. As you all know, my body had different plans. I was injured weeks before the race. So that left baby plans up in the air. We ended up deciding to try anyways. There will always be marathons, and my body is constantly aging in terms of baby making. Even though I’m pregnant, I plan on running through my pregnancy as much a I can. I’ve discussed both my training plan and my injury with my OB/GYN. She has no concerns about either.

Here is my new revised baby training plan:

Rock n Roll Half Marathon – Labor Day Weekend (24 weeks pregnant)

Wicked 10k – October (big and pregnant, I’m sure I’ll be just walking by then! But I get to find a great preggo costume)

Shamrock 8k or Half – March 2012 (3 months post baby) I really want the half!

Cox Rhode Island Marathon – May 1, 2012 – First Marathon. First Post Baby Marathon.

I’m a planner. I need to have milestones to aim for with my running. I also need to hold on to the parts of me that I love so that I stay sane through my pregnancy (hormones can get the best of me!). I also need to know that I will still be me after I have the baby. Running gives me that. After I had Cole, I suffered from postpartum depression. I’m sure some of it had to do with my life situation. I don’t want to have those feelings this time around. I know sometimes postpartum depression can’t be stopped, but I can do my part to keep myself whole and healthy. I owe that to myself, to my baby, and to my family.

I am embracing my life as it is today. I’m a happy pregnant mama. I have a job that allows me freedom. I ran 1 mile. I have a race plan for after baby comes. And I have one amazing family.

(and thank goodness for in-laws with a pool who live 4 miles down the road on 100 degree days – they even allow us to bring our crazy dog. Alex went swimming for the first time tonight. Summertime bliss!)

Thank you for all the Good Energy!

So….how did the interview go? I nailed it! I wouldn’t change a single thing about it except I probably could have sat in the room and talked with them for hours. I didn’t want to leave. It was so much fun. I rarely interview with people who match my energy level. For this interview, I meet with 4 people: my potential boss, a potential coworker, a safety educator from Chesapeake, and a safety educator from Hampton. Everyone in the room loves their job. You could just feel it. They asked their series of questions, and it just felt easy to me. Not easy in a bad way, but easy in a relax way. The answers all came to me naturally. The feedback I received from them was all positive. And then came my presentation! I loved it! I had so much fun! I got to turn the 4 interviewees into 1st graders. My presentation relied heavily on them interacting with me. They were up for playing along. I even got them to crawl on their bellys to the door as they should if they were escaping a burning house! As I was leaving, the educator from Chesapeake took the time to tell me I nailed my presentation! She said I was able to get all the appropriate content into a small window of time. She also asked me how my background in the medical environment translate to teaching children. I am so glad she asked this question. It really allowed me to show who I am and the passion I have for life.

My work experience with a pharmaceutical company and with the cancer center isn’t what makes me equipped to teach children. I don’t think my passion for education can be narrowed down to work experience. Educating is what I am passionate about. It is what I am. I am meant to teach. I am meant to work in an environment that provides people with knowledge that will benefit their life. Whether the student is 3 or 73, I love to teach. I love working with people. I love leading people to a life that is a little more balanced.

I know I showed them this today. Based on all the verbal and nonverbal feedback, I feel confident to say that they loved me. I gave them something to think about. I was more than prepared for the interview. I brought with me a full lesson plan, college transcripts, and examples of programs I’ve developed and evaluated as a part of my graduate work. I know they matched my excitement in the room.

I normally don’t tell people when I’m interviewing for a job. I don’t want to jinx it. I don’t want to have to tell people if I don’t get it. I AM SO GLAD I SHARED! The feedback and support I received from everyone was fantastic. It definitely lifted my energy going into the interview. It pays to be vulnerable. It pays to expose yourself to those around you.

To use the words from Healthful Pursuit again, on my drive to the interview I stopped. I took a breath. I loved myself. and I continued. It is amazing how those four simple phrases can focus your energy. Try it next time you are feeling overwhelmed, insecure, lacking confidence, anxious, or overly excited. It will carry you to exactly where you are meant to be.

Thank you all again for the good energy today! I should know something by the end of the month. I will share the news as soon as I have it! Whether or not I get the news that I want, I am taking away from the interview a recommitment to finding a job where I can work as an educator. It is where I belong.

Carrying the good energy into the rest of my day, our family started a new summer tradition tonight – family walks! I can’t think of a better way to spend the end of the day! Alex on a leash. Cole on his scooter. We are all outside enjoy our neighborhood and each other. I love it!

IMG00427-20110607-1940 — Hello Baby Bump!

Finding a Job-Match

You are about to become all you are thinking ~Eoin Finn

One of my first 40 day goals was to dedicate time to looking for a new job. Last December, I graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master’s Degree in Health Promotions/Education. When I enrolled in the program, I knew it was the perfect fit for me. I know that I want to dedicate my life to helping people choose healthy lifestyle choices for themselves, making people aware of the resources that are available to them through the community, and providing people with knowledge that will keep them safe. It is now June, and I’m still working in my same job.

It’s no surprise to people I know that I don’t love my job. It would even be a stretch to say I enjoy my job. What I do love about my job is the flexibility if offers me, and that it allows me to place my priorities in life on things that really matter. I never work late. I never bring work home. I don’t even think about work when I’m home. While these perks are great, after two and a half years I’m feeling empty about working. I don’t ever want a job that defines me and dictates how I live my life outside of work, but I do need to be in an environment that is giving and supportive. I need to work in an environment that challenges me and allows me to feel successful.

I have applied for a handful of jobs since graduating. I interviewed for one job with the American Cancer Society that I thought for sure was my perfect fit. It wasn’t. While it was disappointing to not be chosen for the job, I also feel confident that the right job is about to land in my lap. It might be tomorrow. It might be next week. It might be next year. I’m no longer modifying my resume to try to “fit” it into a job description. I want the job to be a fit for me.

In my weekly job search, I found a job posting with the City (my current employer). The job opening is for a Life Safety Specialist with the Fire Department. I met all of their requirements, so I sent off my resume. I didn’t modify it. I’m also embarrassed to say that I didn’t stress over the application process. To my surprise, they called! I have a job interview tomorrow.

The job posting is looking for an education specialist – Umm! Me! I have a Master’s degree in health education! They want someone with a bachelor’s degree in teaching, public safety, counseling or human services. Again! Me! Bachelors in English Education! They want someone with experience teaching children and adults. I’ve done both! They want someone with experience in creative arts! Check! Some one with experience developing programs. Check! Experience in marketing. Check!

While I was very casual in applying for the job, it is something that I really want. As a part of my interview tomorrow, I have to give a short presentation. I was given 3 presentation topics to chose from. I decided to give my presentation on Fire Escape Plans to early elementary students. Of course I’m nervous, but I’m going into the interview prepared. I’ve created an awesome program to present. I’ve written official lesson plans for the program including Virginia Standards of Learning. I’ve created worksheets. I’ve written a letter home to parents explaining the importance of the program. I also presented the lesson plan to Cole, so we could create our own escape plan. I’m ready!

Today I got an email from a blog I subscribe to – Healthful Pursuit. Her blog post was about positive affirmations. I plan on using her words as I go into my interview tomorrow.

stop, breathe, love yourself, continue

I’m prepared for my interview. I am qualified for the job. I will be an awesome addition to any team. I will bring a fresh new energy to any environment. While the decision is out of my hands, I’m going to give it my best tomorrow. I’m going to make them love me. I’m going to leave them questioning why they shouldn’t hire me instead of questioning why they should hire me. Fingers crossed for a little interview magic. Fingers crossed I love the job as much in person as I do on paper.

Whether it’s this job or the next job, I will find a job that matches my passion in life. I’m not forcing things anymore. I know they will fall into place.

Laundry Room – check!

The biggest weight on my shoulder currently is the organization in our house. We bought our house last July. While we have definitely made the house our home, we kind of just threw all of our “stuff” into whatever storage area was closest when we moved in. We wanted it out-of-the-way. Now it has all caught up with us. Our garage, shed, laundry room, and storage closets are spilling over. Stuff is everywhere. Holiday stuff is here and there. Camping stuff is stuck in every corner. All the other areas are filled with bikes, winter coats, wrapping paper, suitcases, bikes, yard stuff, tools, and lots of junk! It’s become difficult to walk through the garage or laundry room.

Since it was raining all morning, I took advantage of the gray skies. I organized the laundry room! I pulled everything out and started with a clean slate. Christian hung 4 shelves for me a few months ago. All I had to do was a find a home for everything and determine what would be kept in the laundry room. Since our laundry leads to our garage, it’s also a mudroom of sorts. We keep a lot of our coats and winter gear in there. The shelves are also now a place for us to store overflow kitchen items, school project supplies, laundry supplies, and dog stuff.

Below are the before and after photos. While they don’t look too dramatic in the photos, it is a HUGE difference. The biggest impact is that the doors leading the living room and garage can open completely. No more sideways walking between the rooms!

In the first “after” photo, we ditched the oversized Chi-Chi’s shelves (got to love a husband who sells liquor and gets tons of free crap!). In its placed, we moved in our old kitchen cart. We desperately needed a place to keep our winter attire. We have A LOT. It was all previous store in my laundry basket in the middle of the garage. The cart now holds it all. Top shelf – hats. Middle shelf – gloves. Bottom shelf – scarves. I love winter stuff!!! The top basket is for our everyday activity equipment – running and biking stuff. The jackets are all still up on the hooks, but they will be slowly making their way to an upstairs storage closet. I will also be adding a stand-up wrapping paper container to that area once I can find one. Who knew that it would be a hard item to locate?

In the second “after” photo, I organized the four shelves. All I had to buy was 3 containers (5.99 each at bed, bath & beyond). The top shelf is our “party” shelf. It’s all the goodies for my annual taco night to benefit the American Cancer Society. The 2nd shelf has some random things from Alex’s leashes in a basket to extra wall hooks to fire logs. The 3rd shelf is all about school projects. The 4th shelf is for kitchen over flow. (Christian – please reference this blog when putting things away! Everything has a home! Let’s keep it that way!)

Yay for an organized and clean laundry room – I even scrubbed the floor! Yay for already checking an item off my 40 day list! Yay for being one step closer to prepping Maute Moo’s nursery! Need an instant pick-me-up? Organize a room in your house! It feels pretty darn good!

Happy Birthday Jillian

Yesterday was the perfect day to be outside! Sunny! 85 degrees! After a pregnant hormone meltdown Friday night – I’ll spare you the details, but none of my clothes fit – I needed Saturday to start off on a good note. I went for an unscheduled run. I’ve moved up to running 4 minutes, walking 2 minutes. I went into the run giving myself permission to walk more if needed, and I fully expected to walk more. My cardio is shot. I was pleasantly surprised to only need 2 extra minutes before the fourth segment of the run and 1 minute before the last segment. Not too bad! While I am enjoying my running, I am really looking forward to getting out of the run/walk sequence. 2 more weeks! I’m starting to feel like I’m glued to my watch. It’s also becoming hard to relax my brain during the workout. I’m so focused on running for a certain amount of time, etc. 2 more weeks, and I can start “normal” training again.

(on a sad note – my garmin is slowly breaking! the battery isn’t holding a charge, and it got stuck on last Monday’s run for a week. I bought the watch in Jan. 2010, so I’m hoping Garmin stands behind their product. I’ll be contacting them on Monday!)

Following my run, Christian was gracious enough to take me shopping for some new clothes. I am definitely having a hard time spending money on clothes. I am nowhere near needing maternity clothes yet, but none of my regular clothes fit AT ALL! I’ve been living in one dress and two skirts all week. I managed to find a skirt/dress combo and another cute skirt. I’m hoping to make them stretch through the summer with a couple new tank tops. A friend at work also gave me her two huge containers of summer maternity clothes if I need them closer to the end of summer. Thank you Kandice! This will allow me to only buy winter maternity clothes!

The highlight of yesterday was celebrating our niece Jillian’s 2nd birthday. Tommy and Jessi came down from Northern Virginia to host her birthday party at Christian’s parent’s house. It was a beautiful day for a pool party, and their were kiddos everywhere. Cole even had some awesome playmates for the day! It is always fun to watch all kids interact with each other – kids of all ages. They can find entertainment in the simplest of things. They can challenge each other without being pushy. They can bring out the best in each other. Cole’s new-found buddy swam to the bottom of the deep end. So Cole swam to the bottom of the deep end! It was awesome to watch. I love the look on his face when he came back up! AWESOME!

It was also a blast to watch Jillian and Uncle (that’s what she so sweetly calls Christian) interact. She loves her Uncle, and he loves Jillian. If we do have a girl, she is going to have Christian wrapped around her finger! He is a sucker for a sweet little face!

Happy, Happy Birthday Jillian!