Debra SeS

So, how does work get identified as men's work? or women's work? is it important to have this distinction assigned? This is a question I ask myself. Often. Any task I complete in keeping my home and person clean is work. Any task I complete in my place of employment is work. I identify myself as a woman. It is "women's work" because I am doing it. However, anyone can do these same tasks. "Work" usually means how a person earns their income. In this 21st Century, we all realize that all people must have a means of income, generally earned via the term "work." Work means activity involving mental or physical effort in order to achieve a result. Labor means actions especially of a physical type.   Work and labor are synonyms - meanings are basically the same.  Interpretation of the meaning is directly impacted by the person using the terms, based on perspective and experience. The word "labor" is usually attached to the pro

My plan to get to Miami, Florida, is in motion!   click this photo to go to the city of  Miami's website On Wednesday, I finished moving out of my home in North Bonneville, WA, located in the scenic Columbia Gorge, Washington state side. "What did that entail?" you ask. I sold all my furniture, and packed my personal belongings in bins. I even let loose of my prized book collections! I cleaned and did the final walk through with the landlord...Voila! I am free! (It was a relief to have this task completed.) I know! it says Entering North Bonneville. this was in my rear view mirror!  click this photo to go to the city's website For the days until I fly to Miami, I will be staying primarily with my firstborn child and her family. Of course, I plan to share my joyous self with my other three grown up children and their families. I will be only too happy to spend some time with each and every one of them.  During this time period, I will also be wo

Dear Mrs. Gertrude Plooster Adams; You were the Best Auntie ever... Some of the things I am remembering about you on your last day on Earth:  summer visits with you (and my Uncle & Cousins): you got me, because you needed some girl time after living with Uncle Babe & 3 sons! I remember you telling me, "... you sure like to read! always got your nose in a book..." homemade ice cream : one of your favorites was peach, you really loved peach walnut!  sewing: Auntie, you were not much of a seamstress...I recall witnessing your  finger  running right under the needle in the machine! You & my my mom were always cutting up Uncle Babe's & my dad, Leo's old clothes to make more for the 4 boys!  food: Oh my gosh, we had so many picnics & family dinners (about 15 of us) together - holidays especially but they were not required! All of us women were cooking and talking while snacking, and the dads were watching sports on TV or s

I am moving to Miami, FL in June! this is an exciting new adventure for me. An adventure I am more than ready to implement, because I have been in preparation mode for several months. It began last October. My job, which is just  a job, was feeling stagnant. I was feeling stuck. I did not care for that feeling! Possibilities blipped on my radar...after thoughtful reflection, I made a move! Have you heard of Teach For America  ? During my bachelor degree studies, I became aware and thought..."That sounds like fun!" However, it got placed low on the fuel stash of my burning desires. 10 years later, I am experiencing a flash of flames, or ideas, looking for the next, big, new kindling to jumpstart my simmering fires. What is Teach for America , you may be asking? It is a non-profit organization that works with school districts across the United States, to bring qualified and compassionate teachers to communities experiencing poverty, hunger, and lack of resources. Th

I love Sundays...it is a day I can slow down, spend some time enriching my life or ruminating on the future. Last night, my son Mike invited me to babysit while they attended a friend's wedding. Perfect opportunity to play with my three grandchildren: Jaxon is 11; Kennedy is 8; and, Lincoln is 5! Upon arrival, I was greeted with shouts of joy and foam rubber dart shot at me. Hugs all around and high level chatter caused by all three of them talking at once! A most important discussion began on the topic of what to eat. After a dinner of burritos, we talked about my plans to move to Miami, Florida. My granddaughter Kennedy is sad because I will not be able to come to her birthday party in August. :-(  We made a Wish List of things for us to do when they come to visit me: swimming in the Atlantic Ocean; swimming with dolphins for Kennedy; seeing Universal Harry Potter world for Jaxon; and even going to see where the alligators live! SNAP! We explored their new camper. We tried

My friend, Michelle, recently got married! She lives in the U.K. We are both part of a community created by The Missing Piece book series... this is a group of compassionate and passionate women who love to assist others, hoping to inspire others to reach greatness by sharing our particular life journeys and the pathways leading to success. This book was released in December 2013. The next anthology in this series was released in March 2014. In this book, we shared business strategies and the practices and beliefs that propelled our personal business success. Michelle and I wrote our chapters, as well as 24 other wonderful authors. Just when things were going exceedingly well, my friend ran into a blip....this is the type of blip one is never prepared for and does not voluntarily seek out.  You see, interpersonal violence can be devastating. It shows no mercy and spares no one...it can happen to any one of us, at anytime. So I am asking YOU, if you can do anythin