Honeymoon

I understand that I am in the honeymoon phase with my new employer, but I know that I made the right decision for me. I feel that I have learned more in the last 2 days that I learned in many, many months before. I feel that I am a human first, with family obligations, and an employee second. I feel that I am appreciated, respected, and expected to do my job in whatever capacity I am able. I am free to come in when I choose, leave when I choose, work the schedule I choose, to work from home when I choose, to procure the necessary instruments to do my job as I choose, and to just get the work done. I finally feel like I am a true salaried employee, not a instrument to bill hours to make the company money. I feel like I am a team member and contributor. I am asked for my opinions and am actually expected to give them. I have an office environment that is conducive for me to work- an office door that I can close as needed and a window so that I do not feel totally disconnected from the earth. I am so glad I decided to go through this process. I already know that I will be challenged like I have never been challenged before and that more will be expected of me than ever before. I know that I will also be appreciated for those efforts. Wish me luck- this may be the last free time I have in awhile!

Willy Wonka

I decided that it is just too hot to carry around a head full of hair this summer. Friday, I had about 8 inches chopped off and I love it. When I picked the girl up from school, she just started laughing and playing with my hair and exclaimed CUTE! When I picked the boy up from school, he looked at me funny but didn't say anything. Later he asked if I cut my hair. Yes, I answered- do you like it? His response? It's kinda weird- you look like Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory. But I like it.

Vultures

Life in cubeville is tough. So tough, that the most mundane of office supplies take on mystical qualities. The nice gel pens that quickly leave the supply cabinet and are replaced with the cheap, leaky pens. Hole punches that can punch more than one sheet of paper at a time are coveted. So, it shouldn't surprise me that as soon as my departure was announced, the vultures moved in. When's your last day? We want your office. Anyone have tabs on your chair?

Which leaves me with a question. Are the hole punch and stapler company property? What about the half used pencils and highlighters?

Stupid, stupid, stupid

Have you ever done something so stupid that you amaze even yourself? I have been complaining for a couple of months because the TV in our bedroom was out. I need the TV to watch for a few minutes in the evening so that my brain can finally shut down and stop racing through my massive 'to do' list.

The satellite box was acting up, so I unplugged it and let it reboot. Only I unplugged the TV on accident and when I plugged it back in, it would not turn on. I finally convinced hubby to take the TV in to get it repaired. After extricating the TV from the entertainment center, he looked at me with total amazement in his eyes. IT ISN'T PLUGGED IN!!!!

I had accidently plugged the in the VCR, thinking it was the TV. D'oh!

Happy Father's Day

Today, 6 years ago, my husband became a father. And our fathers became grandfathers. That is a gift that is impossible to top.

Happy Father's Day!

Set the date

I finally received confirmation on my start date at my new employer. They won't set the date until the background check and drug test clear. I already had my last day scheduled at my current employer for next week and was getting a little nervous. I found out yesterday that I will begin the following Monday. And that he'd never seen someone pass through the screening process so quickly. I must be extremely boring.

Strange dream

Whenever I can remember my dreams, it is always a treat. And mildly disturbing. The other night, one involved Julia Roberts, a cruise ship, Fighting Texas Aggie Band, business partner, husband, kids, current supervisor and a kidnapper.

I was working in this large computer lab and was unhappy. My current supervisor kept yelling at me about my work quality and quantity. (Actually, that is close to my current reality). So, I decided to quit and just walked out. When I left the building, I found myself on the river walk at the Woodlands and a crowd had gathered. A very pregnant Julia Roberts was on a cruise ship passing through. A parade had formed, including the Aggie band. However, when the ship passed through, it was so large, it created a wake that started destroying the river walk. Myself and another girl standing next to me were able to slow down the cruise ship and saved the lives of thousands.

After I saved the day, I ran into hubby, our business partner, and my kids. I needed to take a shower after playing hero, but I didn't want to lose sight of the kids, so I just took a shower out in the open. That is when a couple of strangers tried to distract me so they could kidnap my kids. That is when the alarm went off.....

Saying good bye

A chapter of my life is about to close. Ten years of developing relationships with my coworkers. Ten years of work, stress, laughter, and sharing. This has been an extremely difficult decision, but one that I needed to make.

I have told a few people, but I am letting the rumor mill do most of the work. I told one of the people working for me today and she started crying! I tried explaining the feeling to hubby (who has never worked an office job) and likened it to Norm walking into the bar at Cheers. His response? So, everyone's drunk all the time?

I leave behind great friends, great experiences, and gratitude for all the opportunities I was given.

Correction

Sometimes I wish my kids would stay the same age they are today. They are so cute and innocent and fun loving. I especially enjoy the moments that remind how much they still have to learn- like when they mispronounce words in some adorable interpretation. Sometimes I don't correct them just so I can hear it over and over again. I know these words will slowly drift out of my memory and I won't truly remember what it was like to live these precious moments with my children.

Last night was just such a night. I was completely stressed because I left work late, picked up the girl at her school, and had to stop by the store to order the cake for the boy's birthday party Saturday and pick up a few other things. I had exactly 30 minutes to do all of that and get to the boy's school to pick him up. As to be expected, I chose the line that took FOREVER. Four people in the line next to me had already checked out and loaded up their car by the time I reached the front of mine. I ran to the truck, threw the food in and raced off to get the boy and reached him right on time. Which left me 10 minutes to get to the dry cleaners before they closed. I hurried the kids into the truck, zoomed over to the cleaners, and got there 2 minutes before they closed.

Finally home, the kids were tired and hungry and we were an hour later than usual. I searched for something quick in the pantry for the kids- can of mini ravioli. While sitting around the dinner table, we all relaxed and talked about our day. And the girl kept referring to the ravioli as "crabioli". So cute.

Finally decided

I am dreading the conversation I will have at work on Monday. Wish me luck...

Creepy

The girl, who will be three in July, told me several months ago about an older sister of hers who died in a fire. It didn't really strike me as much at the time, but she has since stuck with the story. Last evening, she told us more details. Her name was Katelyn and she was at home alone at grandma's house. No one else died in the fire. Ok, starting to get a little creepy. This evening, hubby asked the girl where Katelyn was. The girl told us that she died in the fire. Now I'm completely freaked out. I'VE never had a daughter names Katelyn, must less one who died in a fire. Is she remembering a past life or does she have and overactive and retentive memory?

Weekend recap

Yes, I know it is Tuesday. Friday was the usual swimming lessons for the kids. Saturday I had to work and hubby took the kids to two different birthday parties. He deserves a gold star for that one. Saturday evening we met up with a large group of friends to celebrate one's birthday. We had a great time and cameras were flashing all night as if the paparazzi were in tow.

At the restaurant, I was startled to see an attendant in the ladies restroom. I walk towards the sink and she turns it on for me and then pumps a squirt of soap in my hand. Next she hands me a towel to dry my hands. I presume at this point I was supposed to tip, but since my purse was still at the table that was an impossibility. As I am walking out of the restroom, she says "have a great evening!". And to this I answer- you, too! Right. She's going to have a great evening sitting in the ladies restroom.

Sunday we took care of stuff around the house and went grocery shopping. That evening we took the kids to the neighborhood pool. It was evident that our year long commitment to swimming lessons for the kids had paid off. They both are fish and swam until they could hardly see straight.

Small, medium, or large?

When it boils down to it, that is the question to answer. I am trying not to think about it until I have investigated all three options, but I would be lying if I said I haven't thought about it continuously.

I have started my spreadsheet, I will fill out the positives and negatives for each option, but in the end, it will be a gut check. Which one feels right? I just don't know.

Change

Change is imminent. It is time to move on, to grow, to push myself outside of my comfort zone. And now is the right time to do it.