Thursday, February 9, 2012

Awards, Challenges and Focus


I relish the gorgeous splashes of hot pink fringe out my office windows!



I am a little behind in thanking Deborah, of Square Grannie, for this award.  Deborah's blog is new to me and I hope you will stop by and say hello.  I recognize her from Ravelry (a knitting and crocheting community).  I appreciate her kindness in passing this along to me.  Thank you, Deborah.


The rules are that you thank the person who passed the award to you; list seven random things about yourself; and then pass the award along to 15 other blogs.  I couldn't possibly pick only 15, so if you read this blog, consider yourself awarded!!! 

And, this morning on Ann, of Sutton Place's, I really enjoyed her post of a random 25 things about herself.  Soooo... I'm going to challenge myself to that (think it may be harder than one might imagine).  And, I'm inviting you to do the same... and pass along the award!  We are all versatile women!  LOL!  That falls under the definition of being a woman, doesn't it?


1.  I unexpectedly love the blog world!!  Never even knew about them.
2.  Came here almost kicking and screaming with my daughter (after a long distance move) with a six month promise.
3.  LOVE the people I have *met* here.
4.  I enjoy challenging myself...


5.  As a young student nurse, I was amazed while observing in surgery... the silent dance of surgeon and nurse.  No words, perfect moves, well executed operation.

6.  I felt, simultaneously, overwhelmed and fascinated... I challenged myself.  I studied hard.  I learned.  I danced.  Oh, how I loved the dance.

7.  For the years I worked in the operating room, I always said I that I would have paid to have been there if they had not paid me.

8.  I finally burned out.

9. I decided to switch to counselling... back to school for a psychology degree.

10. Midterm of junior year, feeling restless... not a good fit, took an aptitude test.

11. Switched to a finance degree... meant starting ALL over (who knew algebra and trig were NOT applicable to business math!  Did get to use statistics!!). 

12. LOVED business math and economics.

13. LOVED my computer classes!

14. LOVED my accounting classes!

15. Grew suspicious of investing in stock as I figured net present value, break even, stock valuation and reporting methods of a company's financials.

16. Developed a business plan of my own... involving historic multi-family properties. 

17. Bailed class again mid-term of my junior year to start the collection of The Old Girls.  Fortunately, I have a very supportive and adventuresome husband, who was and is on board with our plan.

18.  Have never looked back on that decision (especially in light of what COULD have happened to the monies we invested in the Old Girls had we left it in stocks like some of our other savings).

20. Am a firm believer that we are responsible for our own lives.

21.  And, like these photos show... a shift in focus can change our perspective.  If we only look close-up, we miss the waterfall.

22.  I can't throw or catch.  Failed every P.E. test that involved this activity; had TWO black-eyes trying to catch and/or bat; and (NOT on purpose) threw the keys on the roof when hubby dear insisted that I throw them to him one day.  He doesn't ask anymore.

23.  What I lack in coordination, I make up for in tenacity.  I've run four marathons and many, many, many long training runs... along with a few trail runs that would make any marathon pale in comparison of difficulty.

24.  I can't run anymore.  Left knee.  Today... at least most days, tears don't slide down my face when I'm passed by a runner.

25.  Now, I am a knitter, not a runner.

Hope to see some of you take up the award and the challenge!!

blessings ~ tanna

47 comments:

From the Kitchen said...

How nice to learn more about you Tanna! I'd say you are a very well-rounded individual. Hope the wedding plans are falling into place. What fun a wedding can be!
We are waiting our first major snow that may, or may not, come. Just in case, I've hit the grocery store (along with half the community) to stock up.

Best,
Bonnie

Kate I said...

Tanna, how nice to learn more about you...you really are talented and versatile! Nurse, investment manager, marathon runner, knitter, painter, renovator...so many talents and likely more to emerge. I'm curious about the pink plant...it's beautiful and not something I've seen before...is Pink Fringe it's name? Thanks for sharing all the fascinating info!

TexWisGirl said...

enjoyed getting to know more about your very varied past! laughing at the keys on the roof toss!!!

Solar Powered said...

I love this post. You are so versatile and talented and I love that you have done so much with no fear. Great description of an operating room and I'm just wondering if it is possible not to burn out in healthcare? I don't think so. I also love your Old Girls which brings me to a question...Do you know exterior paint colors for brick? I want a white but not white-white...white with gray undertones? Not sure, you would know best. Sorry for the long comment :)

Stephanie V said...

Nice to get to know you better! From the OR to running...one intensity to another. Clearly, you do things all-out. You have so many talents; it must be that ability to focus.

Mary Bergfeld said...

How wonderful to learn more about you ,Tanna. The business you've founded sounds fascinating and I'm so glad all worked well for you. I hope you continue to enjoy the work you do. I also hope that you enjoyed your time away and that today brings clear skies and sunshine your way. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Donna said...

Now I feel like I know you a bit better...not bad for never having been introduced officially, huh? And I find that you are ever more and more amazing!

nanny said...

Great, great post. I just love reading about your fascinating career choices......you are such a wise person! I wish I had you by my side Monday with my knee surgery! Which brings me to a question, why do they say NO nail polish, no makeup, no lotion? Gosh, I'll be naked.....lol!

nanny said...

I loved the keys on the roof one...

karen said...

I loved getting to know you! I would love to visit and sit and knit with you and shoot the breeze :)

Kelly said...

How interesting to read all the things about you! I didn't know you had a medical background or a financial one. You're obviously very "book smart"! And.....to top it all off, you're athletic. I know you say you didn't do well in PE, but if you were able to run marathons, then that makes you an athlete in my book! You really ARE versatile. Congrats on your award. It really does suit you.

Debbie said...

I love the way you did this. I feel as if you strolled along with me, telling me tidbits about you that make you "you".

I felt EXACTLY the same way about the classroom as you did the operating room, and I, too, burned out.

I love what you said about missing the waterfall. So timely for me! I think that I tend to scrutinize things around me these days so closely that I miss the larger perspective.

I totally enjoyed this!

Now, get back to your wedding plans. I'm expected great romance in your neck of the woods. (Or side of the surf, as the case my be.)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Nice learning more about you. I did not know you were an operating room nurse or that you studied finance.

Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch said...

Tana- what a wonderful little snippet about you! I just happened stumble upon your blog and look forward to reading more! You look extremely talented! I hope you have an amazing week!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I love that you are open enough to share this... You forgot to include that you are a talented artist and a fabulous photographer.

Enjoy your days with your little men :-)

Cindy said...

You are a very interesting lady, I loved reading the 25 things about you.
Have a wonderful day, my fascinating friend!

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my gosh - that was amazing - those were the greatest. I didn't know all that about you at all!

I am soooooooooo impressed. I loved it.

Loved learning more about you.

sandie

Kerin said...

What a fun post! So great to getting to learn more about who you are, and what makes you tick:)

I'm happy for you that you were able to work on old houses too :)

Deb said...

that was fun Tanna...I learned new things about you....that is why I love your blog...I learn something new all the time

podso said...

Tanna this was so delightful to read. I learned some new things and I just admire the way you chose to unfold these little and these more major things about yourself. You are such an artist, and I loved the way you described the OR as a dance ---see,-- you saw it all in an artful way. I would never have thought it was such a fun place to work but you have made it seem like that. It must be, as OR nurses stay on year after year after year ... And you see I am focusing on the profession we share in my comments! :-) You also have let us know how deeply you loved running. Well I could say more but I worked a 14 hour shift today and am headed for bed! Thanks for sharing!

Hugs, dotsie

Anonymous said...

Very interesting, friend. I ran track in high school and continued to run well into my 20's. Stopped running for a few years, and now I'm trying to talk myself into it again. Don't know if my bladder will handle it now, but I won't know until I try it. I really have to talk to myself about it, because it's gotten to where my body doesn't want to cooperate with my will.
REALLY enjoyed the autobio. It was fun to learn about YOU! I'm coming down there! :)

Pat said...

Enjoyed reading about your journey...and the photos of the blossoms sure made my day - we are still very cold but with minimal snow cover which is very unusual and cause for concern in this part of northern Wisconsin...ponds and lakes are low, loss of perennials, etc. Can't believe I am saying this - but we really need a lot more snow.

Thank you for visiting earlier and becoming a follower...it means so much.

Julie Harward said...

I loved hearing about you...you are an awesome lady on all counts..even if you did fail PE! ;D

Pondside said...

I enjoyed reading that. What a lot of varied experience you've had. I just know I'm going to have to go back in your blogs to find our more about the historic properties. What a smart move that was!

steph said...

I love knowing you better!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Can't run, throw like a girl, can still hit a home-run occasionally, but boy can I knit!!!! Wouldn't it be fun if our blog community could have a knit-in--in person!!
Have a great weekend!

Liz said...

I can see why you got the award! Your posts are so varied. It seems you live a very busy and fulfilled life. Well done!! :)

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Well done Tanna! It was hard wasn't it? I loved hearing about your "life decisions." I admire you so much for switching it up until you found what you were meant to be doing. Sorry about the knee thing...but just think what the knitting world has gained. Happy Weekend. Thanks for the link back...I so appreciate it!

Vicki Boster said...

Lovely photos Tanna--- and so nice to learn more about you-- I did not know you used to work as a nurse!! Thanks for sharing all this interesting info!!

Have a great weekend
Xo
Vicki

Ps- I have a similar post coming up soon- a 20 questions kind of thing--

Robin said...

Your 'random facts' are very interesting, thanks for sharing. I love the idea of doing that, so might just have to do it on my blog soon. I am a knitter and runner, but know from my own knees that my running days are numbered! :)

Jen Price said...

I always love reading random facts about people! All that schooling! Wow!

Dana said...

I enjoyed reading your 25 tidbits. I'm so glad you've found some neat hobbies you are passionate about. Makes life more fun!

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, What an interesting and exciting life. You are very accomplished in so many ways. Thank you for sharing and letting us peek into your world and get to know you. It is a privilege. I am not good at PE either! I consider walking a sport!
I do wish you were my next door neighbor. I would just love to share my cooking with you! Blessings my dear, Catherine xo

Vickie said...

So good to know more about you, Tanna! This was neat...

Thanks for your visit on my art blog ~

I LOVE the fringe - I had some at my other house, but I'm wanting some here at the farm, too. I love the purple leaves - so different from the usual shrubs. I hope you have a warm and cozy weekend! I guess we're going get a few days of winter-time after all!

Lauri said...

I had no idea of your profession progression (haha) but I loved reading about how you landed in just the perfect place for you. To this day, I can't think of anything I'd want to do without pay. Oh wait, I guess I'm already doing that (staying at home with kids), HA!

Kate I said...

Hi Tanna, thanks for the name of the shrub...Chinese fringe. I looked it up on the internet and that seems to be exactly what it's called! I'm going to ask our local nursery if they will be getting any in (it's still early here for planting) and if not, could we grow it here...we're a zone 8b/9. Thanks for letting me know...I'll let you know if I'm able to get one! It's so pretty.

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

What a great post Tanna... I think it's always fun to hear facts like this. What a journey and adventure you have been on! How neat! :)

Christine said...

You sure know how to make us love you!

Buttercup said...

I love learning people's stories and this was great. So enjoyed getting to know you!

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh Tanna, what an exceptional post! I'm truly in awe of all that you have done in your life and so happy to read about it. Thank you for sharing! I feel like I've known you along time! Won't you come for a visit, we could chat and just enjoy talking about our lives!

Wonderful post, dear friend.

Hugs,
Nancy

Terri Smith said...

Such A Beautiful Post Tanna! Enjoyed So Much Learning More About You. I Too Came Kicking And Screaming To Blogging. But So Glad I Too Joined In The Fun Because I Met "You". Thank You For Continuing To Share Your World With Us. Hugs Of Gratitude, Terri

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

Isn't it funny that none of this surprised me. I knew you were special the first time we 'met.' Thank you for heartfelt honesty! Have a lovely week - how are the wedding plans going?

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

You are a fascinating person with an interesting history, Tanna! I like how you never stop challenging yourself and never stop learning.

I know about the "burn out" with nursing, but I ahve to admit those "dance" years were wonderful!

I'm glad you rescued the "old girls" and bringing them back to life!

Susan McClaskey said...

YOU are an inspiration.
Best,
Susan

Liz said...

So lovely! I love the way you gradually revealed the waterfall. May we always look beyond to notice all the beauty of a scene.
Nice getting to know you too... and I love the key toss :)

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Tanna! What fun to learn more about you! I knew I liked you! Congrats on a cool award. Those flowers are SO beautiful! We are LONG AWAY from splashes of color here in the midwest but looking at yours is cheering!!

Amanda said...

Loved #21. So true. So true. Love you!

tracie c. said...

I am so far behind on visiting and comments :(
This was a wonderful way to get to know one of my favorite bloggers! Wonderful Tana!
XO Tracie

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The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.