I love being an Ultimate mom.
Now before you get all up in my grill, thinking I’m overly confident in my parenting abilities, you know what I mean, right? Ultimate frisbee?
I spent the best Mother’s Day in recent memory, huddled up on the sidelines of the Maple Plain Polo Fields at the Hopkins Hustle, a Minnesota high school Ultimate invitational. It was cold, drizzly and completely awesome. I was there with my daughter, hubby and other parents who I really like and we basked in the glory of watching our sons and daughters play.
I realized how rare it is that I ditch work for the weekend and just live my life. I think this is something I need to work on. I know other self-employed women who think like me: I have an extra hour and I could do this.
You know how at the end of people’s lives, they ask them what they regret doing and they say, “Working as much as I did”? I don’t want to be that person. I’m sure no one wants to be that person, but the way things are set up, money is required to live. And therein lies the rub.
So this week, here’s what I’m catching up on:
1. My son’s high school yearbook. I am the unofficial yearbook advisor for his school and this year, the team did a great job of doing all of the layout themselves. I simply came in yesterday and cleaned up the files and got them ready for print. I need to be more involved next year in teaching layout and design. That’s one way I can get out of the office more.
2. The summer issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today magazine. I’m halfway through the initial design of the issue. Did you catch our Spring issue? If not, check it out here! I have to admit, working on print projects makes me insanely happy. It reminds me of the thing that I have a great deal of competency in: layout and design. Working on a magazine is a lot like working on a puzzle. You have to fit everything in the right place and it’s supposed to look good and communicate something. Plus, the bonus for me? It’s a magazine about scrapbooking. #boom
3. A new/old class for CZ Classes. I am re-tooling a class called 10 Tips for Better Type. All of the content is done, but the video tutorials need recording and the handouts need making. I’m slating this stuff for the end of the week. It’s funny, but there are days when you cannot record a video tutorial to save your life. I’ve thought about creating a bloopers reel, but the only word you would be hearing starts with an “f” and rhymes with duck. What can I say? Making online scrapbook classes is hard core stuff, people.
4. A new CZ Classes site. I’m working with a woman right now to build a new site to house my classes. It won’t look all that different from my present site, but it will have better functionality. I hope.
5. Trying to be a responsible adult, a caring mate, a mother who does what is needed and someone who is eating well and exercising. You know, no big whoop.
6. Oh, and creating stellar blog content to keep people coming back for more. I swear that on every Sunday afternoon, I’m pretty certain I’ve reached the end of the idea pool. So far, it hasn’t completely happened. Fingers crossed.
LoriAnde says
Thanks for keeping at it. I love your style.
Christine K. says
Looking forward to your 10 tips class as well as your CZ classes site.
Helen High says
I took the 10 Tips for Better Type class in that I signed up for it, but didn’t really do anything after that. . .
Looking forward to doing more with it this time.
Thanks for doing what you do.
Karen says
you could tell us what you ate for dinner and what you were wearing ( orange sweatshirt?) And I think we would all still be happy to read about it! Because you do keep it real and for those of us who think of you as a friend, despite never having met, it’s the little things of daily life that are good to hear. Let’s me know you have the same struggles and pleasures and every day stuff that we do! And we all like to feel connected and that we are not alone. So please just keep sharing whatever pops into your head and we’ll keep smiling while we read it!
Cathy Zielske says
Well thanks, Karen! 🙂
Laurie says
I’m not sure how you do all that and keep a blog, but God bless you. Your writing is real and fun and I always enjoy it.
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks, Laurie! I’m not sure how I keep up this blog sometimes, either! lol.
heidig says
Always looking forward to a little CZ inspiration. I’m never disappointed.
JennieB says
I have been following your blog (daily) for years. I’ve watched your children grow up and I feel as if we’re “family”. You’re inspiring on so many levels and I’ve always loved your sense of humor. I hope to follow your blog for many years to come. Keep it coming, Cathy!
jennifer says
Love this post! That’s all I got but sometimes less is more right? jen
Cheri says
When you hit the end of the idea pool, you can start recycling old content. I’ve been following you “forever” but I honestly wouldn’t remember if you had posted something before! I come for the fix of CZ humor!
Michelle t says
I enjoy your blog, I love your writing and reading about you and your family. I’m sorta still new around here, but your writing is real and I can relate. Loved reading the blurb about the ultimate game. Sounds like fun. I don’t think you’ll ever run out of ideas. I think you have a great sense of humor, and you talk like me, too. Plus I love the scrapbooking stuff, too. You rock, believe it. Michelle t
Jen says
I found your site because of scrapbooking, but even if you changed completely and started creating something I had no interest in, I would still read every post. You are just seem so darn fun and real. Please keep it up as long as you are enjoying yourself.
Debby D says
YAYAYAYAY. I am so excited about the Type class! I wanted to take it the couple of times it has been offered, but I couldn’t manage to fit it into my crazy pants on fire life. So yay again!
I would be totally down with an f-bomb filled blooper reel, but that is just how I roll.
Laura says
Cathy, bring yourself, bring the snark, and we’re here.
Cue Sally Field’s “You really like me” Oscar speech. *grin*
Jenell says
I have been enjoying your blog from it’s inception – you keep it real; you make it interesting; you are a FANTASTIC writer. Your blog is the first one I go every morning. Like someone else said you can write about whatever pops in your head, but you always put a different spin on it. And I’m so happy you are happy doing the design work on Scrapbook & Cards Today. We need your clean and simple influence! It’s a great magazine!
Kimberly O. says
Thanks for “keeping it real” Cathy!! 🙂 Maybe you could release your “bloopers” video montage along with a disclaimer check box that people have to check before they can view/download it.
I absolutely love your scrapitude.
Loey says
Oh yes. Bloopers video would be awesome. And I’m right with you on #5…every GD day…doing all that on a daily basis is a big whoop!
Gina says
Just wanted to let you know that your Project Life value kit is available in the app as of last night. I downloaded it as soon as I saw the update. I’ve been waiting patiently for it. 🙂