If it were fun and easy, we’d already be doing it. Nothing inspires me to scrub my floors, clean the chandelier or bake pies from scratch as much as when I’m faced with an overwhelming task. Looking for a job, writing a resume, or even thinking about the next steps can be enough to propel me into a cleaning frenzy.

On-Ramp Mom

Can’t live with them, can’t fire them, can’t force them out…Step Kids, that is. What’s a Step Mom to do?

Eleven years ago I took on the job of a lifetime – step mom to three fully formed, highly opinionated, bereft teenage kids – I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Neither did my husband. And, neither did the kids. All of us were on shaky ground and it quickly turned to quicksand.

Aiming Low

Each year, I make a few New Year’s resolutions. Over the years, I’ve found that I am most successful when my resolutions are simple, measurable, and easy to manage. Examples include: arrive five minutes early for all appointments; eat one serving of fruit every day; call my mom once a week.

Millions of dollars gone up in smoke on December 23rd. Years of hard work, careful study, diligent analysis by the best minds, and it was all for not. Undone in the last 48 hours and the last mile. It happened this holiday to one retailer, but how often do we do it to ourselves? Ruining our own “brand image,” that is, just as we’re about to cross the finish line.

“Honey, Am I Killing You with My Career?” was the title given by the Wall Street Journal to an article that appeared in the November 19th edition discussing the potentially life-shortening risks of dual-career couples.

“Working Women Are Killers” blogged Greg Mankiw.

The launch party for YourOnRamp.com held last Monday evening was incredible. Just my opinion, but I don’t think there’s a person (male or female) who participated in the event who would not whole-heartedly agree.

It has been a big week for personally sad news.

A good friend’s father was diagnosed with a particularly bad form of cancer. Another friend is going in for prostate cancer surgery, but mostly spends time reading the obits. A neighbor’s close friend was hit by a car and a man who frequently biked through our neighborhood killed himself. My mom’s best friend died on Tuesday and her next-door neighbor died on Thursday.

There are certain times when someone will say something, addressing an audience or to no one in particular, and the words will strongly resonate with you as if the message was spoken for you alone.

On two distinct occasions, that has happened with me and the words have caused me to change my actions in thoughtful, significant ways.

For several weeks, I’ve been struggling with a major decision. I’ve consulted with friends, family and colleagues. I’ve lain awake many nights. But, what I didn’t do until last night was to visualize what each option would be like.

Last night, I sat in my office, music softly playing, door shut, and I closed my eyes. I forced myself to painstakingly, in detail, visualize myself going through a day, a week, a month, a year, living my life as if I chose one option, and then, the same scenarios again, but choosing the other option.

Today, I'd like to welcome Jean Mansen to the YourOnRamp blogging team.  Jean spent over 25 years in financial services world before taking some time off to spend with her mom after her father died and with her son before he left for college. After three years off, she started looking for ways to re-enter the corporate world, but retain some of the flexibility she enjoyed from her time off. Finding it difficult to build a portfolio career on her own, she readily embraced the idea and resources behind YourOnRamp.com.  We're thrilled to have Jean on the Team!