MFelicity's blog

Over the weekend my "wife" had to quit to watch her nephew while her sister tutors. And now I am scrambling to find a replacement. My husband just returned to work from paternity leave and so I am back to conference calls hoping my youngest will map and my oldest will play quietly for 15 minutes.

This morning I did something truly girlie and enjoyed a pedicure with one of my dearest friends, and then we went to lunch.  Over salads at an outdoor cafe, we talked not just about the idiocy of the Republican party and the women-insulting nomination of creationist Sarah Palin (don't get me started on that) but about real things going on in our lives.  And while we commiserated and laughed, I thought about how in all the years we have been friends it is only when one of our worlds was tur

Four blissful days....four days to be reminded how wonderful my children are, what a beautiful giggle my youngest has, how bright and curious my older one is, and how sweet and caring my hubby is.  Since I started my second company I have barely taken a day off (and yes, I do mean working weekends) let alone four days off.  I am not complaining.  That is nature of being an entrepreneur and the reality of running a start up.  And most days, I don't regret it.  And most days, I still get time with my kids and my hubby, so yes, I have it pre

A friend of mine was complaining that she would like to move into a different career area but she doesn't have the skill set.  With family, work, etc. she can't pay for school right now.  I told her to join a great nonprofit, suhch as the Junior  League Palo Alto Mid-Peninsula.  Nonprofits are the great training organizations, and the Junior League is among the best.

I recently received a lovely note from our corporate lawyer just checking in and seeing how business was going.  He loves the idea of Cubes&Crayons and wanted to see what kind of progress we were making.  How thoughtful!  He then said he would love to chat and catch up if I had a moment; he had some new things in the works.  After several scheduling mishaps, we finally connected a week ago.

This morning I went into my daughters' playroom and watched my three year old arrange blocks in a checkerboard pattern.  I asked her what she was up to and got no response.  Then I asked her if she was focused, and she replied "I can't talk right now, I am focused."  Just like all of us, when she is focused on her task or project, she can accomplish a great deal in a concentrated time.

I went to a great conference yesterday hosted by Flexperience on Flexibility in the work place.   They had some smart, articulate speakers from major corporations who are doing the flexibility thing.  I turned to my friend Catherine, from YourOnRamp, and said they get it, almost.  And she nodded.

What they know:  There is value to flexibility to an employer

A great opportunity to learn about careers, opportunities and sitting on a board in a nonprofit

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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 - Active in Nonprofits: Giving Back to Get

7:00 - 7:30pm Cocktails and Networking
7:30 - 9:00pm Workshop
Where? Cubes & Crayons, 1122 Crane Street, Menlo Park, ca

Launching my second company, Cubes&Crayons, I have been delighted by the unexpected people and networking that has been a part of our unveiling. My first company, Innovative Spaces, Inc. (www.ispacesinc.com), was a very solo activity. Initially, I had no other staff. I was doing it all from finance to marketing to visiting clients to actual design work. It was an amazing, difficult, and valuable learning experience. At the time, it worked for me. I moved myself and company from Pasadena to the Bay Area three months after the company launched.

The other day I was driving my two daughters with me to Cubes & Crayons (www.cubesandcrayons.com), when my older one, a proud 2 1/2 year old, said to me "I love Cubes & Crayons." My heart melted. I built this endeavor, flexible office space in tandem with childcare, with parents like me in mind, but also for my children. While my daughter has been able to spout that the "cubes are for mommies and daddies and the crayons are for the kids," for months now, it has been a tough transition for everyone. Being a mom is the most important thing to me.