As a designer, I’ve always got this question: Am I charging the right amount for this project? What should my salary be (in corporate America, anyway)?
I just read a really interesting article on the Graphic Designer Blog about a graphic designer’s worth and what sort of elements go into the salary for such a position.
Interested in reading it too? Check it out: GraphicDesignBlog.org
Did you see this? At the 2010 Grammys? Unbelievable. She blows my mind with this performance.
I just wanted to share with you a nice little thing that happened to me and my kids yesterday. We stopped by the House of Hope to visit with the executive director, Deb Chausse. Deb took us over to the playground at the shelter so my little girls could play and we could catch up with a nice chat. 
While there, we were excitedly joined by one of the new little residents. She was 6 years old and just adorable. Full of happiness about being in her new home and all the great things she’s done so far (she only just arrived at the shelter yesterday with her mom). This little cutie pie told me in great detail about how the shelter is so much better than the hotel (even though the hotel had a swimming pool) because everybody was so nice to her when she first got there. What struck me the most was when she told us about the ‘awesome presents’ she got when she arrived: A few new toys (like a Barbie) and her own toothbrush and toothpaste. “Even though we have to share a bathroom, that’s okay because I have the coolest toothbrush that’s all different colors” is what she was most excited about!
She said the bunk beds in her room are the greatest and she sleeps in the top bunk because she’s such a big girl. She mentioned that she sleeps with her shoes on her bed because the last place they stayed at had spiders so she wants to make sure she has something to squish them with if any come in her room.
This kid was such a joy to be around and was so friendly and excited to have someone to tell her story to. We had such a great time visiting the playground and look forward to going back more… Charlotte (my 2 year old daughter) especially… Who has done nothing but talk about “Miss Deb’s House” since we got home!
Anyhow, just wanted to share with you all what a nice day we had and to thank Deb and her staff so much for their hospitality and for doing such an amazing job each and every day!
If you don’t know much about homelessness and the effect it has on families in our state, I encourage you to visit the House of Hope website to learn more. It’s a wonderful organization that serves homeless families all over the state of Massachusetts.
The most innocent victims of homelessness are the children and as you’ve read above, even a small thing such as a new toothbrush, that most of us take for granted, can mean so much to a kid. Meeting this child reiterates just how lucky I am to have the life I do and makes me cherish everything that my family and I have.
It’s a Kings of Leon type of day…
In the spirit of excitement (I’m going to the concert tomorrow night!)
Life is way too short. I mean, seriously, it’s WAY TOO SHORT.
This afternoon I was talking with my neighbor and she was telling me about this very sad story about a friend of hers from high school. Mother of 5 young children, loving wife, great community spirit and just an all around good person. She died unexpectedly at the age of 40 last week. It’s so sad to think about that poor family and what they must be dealing with. I can’t even imagine. It’s just heartbreaking to think that this woman had so much to live for and all of a sudden, she’s gone. Just didn’t wake up one morning.
So hug your families, kiss your kids, don’t go to bed angry and don’t sweat the small things. It’s not worth it.
