This original post was written nearly 16 years ago, during the first iteration of my blog then called MidMajorMom. The blog was about my life as the mom of a Division I athlete while working as the business manager of a small Division I athletics department.
I started writing more food posts than athletics posts and rebranded to JudeTheFoodie. This blog afforded me many opportunities like writing for local publications, doing restaurant reviews and teaching cooking classes.
In 2012, being asked to be the host for travel bloggers and the Travel Channel when Lewiston NY was a finalist in Rand McNally’s “Best of the Road” best food in a small town, I reached the peak! Click HERE for a reminder/review of those special days.
I loved it but eventually tired of it because chronicling everything I prepared or ate took away from the enjoyment of preparing and eating it.
On my birthday in 2015 I was having lunch by myself (I love dining alone, by the way) in SoHo at Balthazar Restaurant when gratitude overwhelmed me. People put off doing things for 1,000 reasons but at that moment I realized I was living someday today (the motto of my travel agency and new name of my blog). Right there with my Stags Leap Chardonnay I got on my phone and purchased the domain.
It occurred to me I was writing more about the food I ate while traveling and when I went on my first river cruise in 2013, I decided to learn more about being a travel agent which eventually led me to opening my Judes Luxury Travel in 2016 and obtaining my IATA (this license signifies that the agency meets certain standards and is recognized as a reliable partner in the travel industry) in 2018. I’ve always called it my “encore” career, and I finally learned the adage “if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life.”
I have been building my business for over 10 years and next month I will celebrate my 10th anniversary. I’d love to say it’s been nothing but up, but the pandemic crushed my business from doubling sales year over year to nearly zero in 2020-2021. 2022 hailed “revenge travel” and things have been going strong since, even during my 18-month long treatment for breast cancer.
To state the conclusion before the end, life is fluid and ever changing. Continuous reinvention has been the only way to not only survive but to thrive.
Originally published March 2010
It is 49 degrees and sunny in Boston this morning. I am already in the hotel lobby working on my slides. I keep studying and revising and rethinking and over-thinking…I MUST STOP THE MADNESS!
I have been waiting for this opportunity for years. I truly believe that speaking is a part of my future. I love being with people and telling them about what I do. When asked I say that I am the Athletic Business Manager at Canisius College and President of my own consulting company. With whom do I consult? I work with colleges and universities and help them create a culture of fiscal integrity. I aid in the creation of a Business Operations Manual which includes best practices and my own copyrighted accounting information system called The Shadow System©.
How did I get here?
I tied grape vines to wires when I was 13 years old. Truly a dirty job but it was outside and my friends all sang songs and got sunburned on cool sunny March days.
I was a receptionist then bookkeeper, then office manager at my father’s car dealership.
I was a bookkeeper and cashier at the bookstore at Canisius College.
I got my degree in Accounting at Canisius College (are you picking up on a theme here?)
I was a bookkeeper and store clerk at Yachting World in my tiny hometown.
I was a music teacher for a year at my parish parochial grammar school. Easily the most fun job I was totally unqualified for. I had it for a year after my first child died. Sister Donald told me I was helping her but years later I know she saved my life by giving me a reason to get up in the morning.
I was Director of Accounting at Canisius College.
I was ticket manager at Canisius College.
I was Athletic Business Manager (still doing this one after nearly 20 years) at Canisius College.
I was Senior Women Administrator at Canisius College.
I helped the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference develop agreed-upon procedures years before the NCAA created theirs.
I got my Masters in Sport Administration from…come on…guess!
I served on the NCAA Financial Reporting Committee.
I am consult with several Division I schools.
I am a wife, mother, volunteer, national anthem singing golfer who loves long walks on the beach J Anyway, I have done a whole lot of things in my day and am buoyed by the thought that I am really just beginning!
Please let me know if you read my blog. I truly appreciate your time and wish you nothing but the best!
Life is good!
Jude
Twitter: MidMajorMom
Twitter: JudeCaserta
http://www.MidMajorMom.WordPress.com
AthleticBudgetCoach.com
The Art of Living Someday Today 