I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had an excellent segment on strategies for the unemployed.  As an HR professional, I found this segment to be well done and the advice given was spot on.

Highlights of the tips included:

1.  Get the word out AND network.  Use social networks like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

2.  Know your financial situation and modify your spending habits

3.  Be realistic in your job search – ONLY search for positions that you are qualified for

4. Revise or write your resume

5. Looking for a job is a full-time job – approach it that way

For the full link click here: Strategies for the Unemployed

Also, as a seasoned professional in the HR world, I am doing some resume assistance; writing and editing resumes for friends and family but my services are available to all for a modest price.   Please contact me at skepner169@aol.com for more information.  Serious inquires only.

Last week I officially announced that I will not be returning to work after my maternity leave ends later this month.  I, along with Darren, have decided that it was the right time for me to take a break from the corporate world and be a stay at home mom for the forseeable future.  The past 15 years in the financial services world provided me with so many amazing experiences and growth opportunites; ones I will remember for the rest of my life.  Through the years, I have learned so much about myself and developed into a stronger, better person because of the leadership I worked under and the friends I made along the way.  I will always remember my days at the Firm and will cherish every experience I had.  From  the various positions held to the promotions I earned and the travels I took,  I learned more than I ever could have imagined.  I participated in many leadership programs, traveled to several company locations and had the honor of playing a major role in opening up two offices which are an important part of the company’s nearshore/offshore strategy.

My decision was not an easy one but after much thought and consideration I felt that it was in David’s best interest as well as mine if I put my career on hold while I help him discover the world during his formidable years.  These are new and unchartered waters for me but I’m excited for this new phase in my life.  In many ways, I am starting over again and need to find my way.  I am looking into many different social activities and programs in the area so I can meet other stay at home mom’s and give David the opportunity to play with other kids as he becomes more aware of others.  If you live in the Westchester area and have suggestions on activities/programs/classes, etc. or have a little one and would like to get together, please let me know.  I’m super excited to embark on this new journey.

Stay tuned for more updates on my transition into motherhood as a stay at home mom….

A couple of weeks ago Mommy’s best friend Shari gave birth to her first baby too.  Ever since I was born, I couldn’t wait for my best buddy to join me in the world and I guess he couldn’t wait to meet me (and the rest of the world) because he arrived just shy of four weeks early.   We didn’t know if the baby was going to be my very best friend or my first girlfriend but Mom, Dad and I were super excited to hear the news that the baby was a boy, just like me.  Seems Mom and Shari follow in each others foot steps so it was only fitting that she had a boy too.  Mommy has three months of baby boy experience under her belt so she can help Shari with any questions although Mommy says Shari is a natural so we think she is going to be a fabulous mommy.

Since my little friend was a few weeks early he had to stay in the hospital just a bit longer than I did so I couldn’t meet him right away.  But he’s home now and we had our very first play date this past week.  I was super excited to meet Reid but I was also reunited with my amazing baby nurse who took care of me when I was first born as she is taking care of Reid too.  The minute I heard Erica’s voice my face lit up because I recognized it.  She gave me a big hug and kiss and couldn’t believe how big I am now.  She let me sit on her lap again like the old days and I dazzled her with my ability to smile and babble up a storm.  It was a love affair all over again.

Baby Reid is just adorable and while he ate and slept on my visit, I understood completely.  I did however get to look at him and he looks like a fine playmate.  Today is his bris so I gave him lots of advice on what is going to happen at the ’snip snip’.  Much like me he doesn’t know what is about to happen to him but I think its better that way.  Erica will take great care of him afterwards and in a few short days he will be all better.  As my Uncle Mark said, he didn’t remember it and neither will Reid or I.

The past two weekends Darren and I were blessed with the opportunity to get away for a bit and relax a little.  We started off in Vermont where Darren took in some great skiing at Bromley Mountain while I indulged myself at the Equinox Resort and Spa with a massage and a facial.  We booked three nights at the same condo we rented last year and initially intended on bringing David with us.  However with it being cold and flu season, we reconsidered and left him with Grandma and Grandpa Herman for a few days.  They enjoyed his big smiles and cute sounds while we enjoyed some relaxation and a break from parenthood.  In addition to the spa and slopes we had some great meals at Laney’s, Sherrie’s cafe and our favorite Sirloin Saloon.  All of these places were obviously impacted by the downturn in the economy.  Every place we went to was virtually empty aside from Saturday night when there seemed to be some influx of people but hardly what you expect.  It was sad.  In the afternoon’s after lunch we browsed the outlets in Manchester and they were practically giving things away.  The only place that was hopping was the Spiral Press Cafe which we loved.  It is a bookstore and cafe all in one.  We bought some coffee and pastries and nestled into a table one afternoon where I read and Darren did some work while we indulged in our treats.  It was a fantastic getaway and we loved every cold, wintry minute of it.

This past weekend was the second half of our ‘recharging our batteries’ tour.  This time Grandma and Grandpa Kepner looked after the little guy and on Thursday morning Darren and I flew down to Grand Cayman.  Darren was invited by WashingtonPost and Slate to attend their 2009 Digital Media Summit at the Ritz Carlton and I was able to join him to enjoy the Caribbean.  We stayed at the Ritz which was beautiful and seemed to be the only hotel on Seven Mile Beach that was doing noteworthy business.  As we strolled on the beach one afternoon we were shocked to see tons of empty lounge chairs especially since this is high season.  Our taxi driver one evening said that tourism is way down especially for the Cayman Islands since they are one of the higher priced of all the islands in the Caribbean.  The weather wasn’t so good so we didn’t have much tanning time but we did manage to relax by the pool one afternoon and played some chess.  The winds were unseasonably cool as were the temperatures only near 70 for a high but it was far better than the 20s back home in NY.  Darren’s conference was great and he met many talented people in his industry and I had another opportunity to indulge in some sleep and relaxation so we enjoyed ourselves.  We had delicious dinners at Ristorante Pappagalo and A Grand Old House.  The island is definitely the priciest of all the islands I’ve been to but the quality was there.  By the time Sunday came we were really itching to get home.  We missed our little guy so much that we couldn’t wait for our plane to land.  On both trips, we looked at his pictures constantly and talked about him incessantly.  We can’t wait until he is a little older and would make a better traveler.  Right now, he’s just a little too little to schlep through the airports and on the plane with all the coughs and sneezes.  Hopefully next year, he can join us…we’d love that!!!

On Thursday I will be three months old.  I can’t believe it.  I’ve learned so much in these first few months of life its unbelievable.  Recently, Mom has been getting tagged on Facebook to complete 25 randomn facts about her.  Instead, I decided I should post 25 randomn facts about me and what I’ve accomplished in my short 12+ weeks of life.

1. I was born the day after the election and all daddy wanted to do was name me ‘obama’.  Mom said NO and obviously won out.
2. I am named after my great great grandmother Dora and my great grandfather Meyer according to my parents but in reality I’m convinced Dad named me after the Dave Matthews Band
3. I am a great eater – right now I am eating 25-28 oz a day
4. I grew 5 inches since being born
5. I take ‘baby’ zantac 3 times a day because I have acid reflux
6. I discovered my hands recently and am trying desperately to get them into my mouth
7. I love talking to myself
8. My nickname when I was first born was ‘maestro’ because I waved my arms up like I was conducting an orchestra
9. I am a big fan of Sesame Street especially Elmo and Abby Cadabby
10. I hate getting into my car seat and I’ll let everyone in two mile radius hear me when I am getting in it
11. I love to sleep cuddled into Mom
12. When I am out of sorts I love for Daddy to walk me around the house (except when he fell up the stairs – luckily I didn’t get hurt although Dad bruised his elbow)
13. I only use my pacifier to calm down or to fall asleep but then I spit it out.  I hear that is a very good thing
14. I slept through the night at about 7 weeks and now I sleep at least 8 hours a night, sometimes 9
15. I love art – I could stare at colorful pictures and shapes all day
16. I laugh at Seinfeld even though I have no idea what I’m really watching
17. I’m fascinated by all the trees outside our living room window and can stare at them for a long time while Mom is changing me
18. I’m probably the only kid that likes when the doctor is examining me
19. I had my first urinary tract infection at 2.5 months old and was on antibiotics for 10 days
20. I love playing on my Gymini mat
21. I giggle and smile all the time
22. I love having my picture taken
23. I have the best sets of grandparents who love taking care of me so Mom & Dad can get a break
24. My bouncy seat is my favorite place to nap
25. I have the best parents who love me more than anything in this world