11 Years Coming To An End...

I have one more week left with my current employer, and it has finally really hit me that I am actually leaving! This June would have been my 11-year anniversary at the same place - Waaaay longer than I have ever worked at one place. (I think that my previous record was 2 1/2 years...) This really has been a great place to work - Wonderful co-workers and bosses, nice facilities, usually enjoyable work, an opportunity to grown and learn. They have been very good to me indeed.

I remember when I first came to work there. For the first several months I felt like I didn't not really fit in, and it hurt. I was quieter then and more shy, so it took me a while to open up to people. And there was a co-worker who seemed to exclude me at every turn.. I still feel a sense of bitterness toward her. But the experience taught me to be more outgoing and not so sensitive. I try to make certain that I never let anyone feel the way that this lady made me feel way back then. I hope I never do.

In 1998 things were really tough at work. Due to some bad business decisions by executive leadership, we lost millions of dollars. Luckily our parent company decided to bail us out, but we had to undergo a pretty big lay-off. Man, that was a stressful day! The boss told me and a co-worker fairly early in the day that we were okay, so we went about our work for the day. But others weren't so lucky. The most amazing part was when my immediate boss voluntarily gave up her job to save the jobs of 3 people in our department. That has got to be the most selfless thing that I have ever witnessed. She came back a couple of years later and is still my boss today. She is the best role model that I have ever had.

Over the following years I was allowed to move to a supervisor position and then to Management. I will always be grateful for the learning opportunities that this company has given me, for how they believed in me and supported me.

One more week..... Wow...

'Nuff Said

And A Few More Spring Pics..

The future CEO of TVA???? Perhaps....














A thoughtful moment....


















Downtown at Dogwood Arts Festival... Mommy and her boy having fun!












Ian's favorite game is "CRASH!!" It doesn't matter what he is crashing with or what he is crashing into, as long as he gets to crash!! Here he is running full speed down the sidewalk aiming for that stack of boxes.. Poor Thomas... CRASH!








I love him... What can I say? There is no cuter little boy as far as I'm concerned!

Spring Pics

So here's my little guy having a big time! I just love his little crooked smile!












The first Easter egg hunt.. He liked picking up the eggs, but didn't care anything about them after that! Guess who ended up eating the candy....










Ian and Mommy in our Easter outfits!













So let's see what that Easter bunny brought!













The Easter bunny did a good job!

Leatherheads

Hubby and I had date night on Saturday, and we went to see Leatherheads at the movie theater downtown. (If you Knoxville folks have never been to that theater, you really should go. It is really nice.)

We really liked the movie. (Of course, I have a “thing” for George Clooney…) The story was exactly what I expected, but I had not read any previews so I don’t know what I expected in the first place. George Clooney was perfect for that part – Since he wrote it and directed if, he SHOULD have been perfect!! Renee Zellweger was also perfect for her part, but I think that she has allowed herself to be typecast as the 20’s flapper type. Of course, she is very good in that role, but I honestly cannot imagine her in any other role type now. The guy playing the young football player was okay in his part, but a little bit “dishwater” for me. Someone with a little more punch might have been better.. Not sure who… Gosh, I can’t even think of any actors in their 20’s!!! I’m so old…

Parts of the movie were truly very funny. Some of the dialogue moved very quickly – Really fast comebacks. I wish that I could have comebacks that fast and that funny!

Pitter Patter of Little Feet

That is really an odd phrase, isn't it? I mean, once they get big enough to make pitter pattering noices across the floor, it really isn't a pitter patter. It's more like a moderate clomp, usually accompanied by a scream and the scattering of any pets in the vicinity!

At least that's the way it is around here. Ian can be such a bundle of energy sometimes, and just runs back and forth to be running! One of his favorite things to do is to run back and forth across the kitchen floor and watch his reflection in the oven door. It is totally cute!

I Got it! I Got It!! Woo Hoo!!!

Gues what!!!! I got the job!!!!

I went for the meeting with the big muckity-muck this morning. I walked in and he said, "This isn't really an interview. I just wanted to spend a few minutes getting to meet you so that when I pass you in the hallway I will know you." We had a very nice conversation, then he sent me back to the Director of the department. She made the offer, and of course I accepted! I will start on May 5!!

My current Director is not happy that I am leaving, but she is supportive and understanding. I continue to say that she s the best boss that I have ever had or could ever possibly have, and she is an incredible role model. I will miss working for her terribly.

I made the announcement to my staff late this afternoon, and it was the second-hardest conversation in my life. (The first was telling my Director that I had applied for the position.) They took it fairly well, but seemed to be shocked. I will really miss them too. There are 12 in the group, and I personally hired all but 2 of them. It is an incredible work group.

I'm doing the happy dance!!!!!!

A LIttle Progress Has Been Made!

So now I am set for another interview on Friday morning with one of the system but muckity-mucks! It was noce to hear that I am still in the running. Wish me luck...

What in the world am I going to wear?

Your Career Type Quiz

Heres mine... Hmmmm...

Your Career Type: Social

You are helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Your talents lie in teaching, nursing, giving information, and solving social problems. You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - Librarian Nurse - Parole Officer - Personal Trainer Physical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer.

What's Your Ideal Career?

Still Waiting..... And Waiting......

Well, here I sit at my desk, wondering if the phone is EVER going to ring abut this job possibility.... They called my current boss for a reference yesterday morning, and the job posting was pulled from the web site overnight... But I still wait. I'm actually getting a little bit ticked by the whole thing. If I end up not getting the job, then I will be stuck here and my boss will know that I was looking for something else and she will expect me to continue to do so...... Grrr....

So I'm sitting here eating a Healthy Choice Creamy Dill Salmon Cafe Steamer, which may or may not be fully cooked, and therefore may or may not make me ill... I followed the directions exactly, and it says, "Cooked salmon is uniform in color. If necessary, microwave at additional 15 second intervals until salmon is an even color throughout." I did several of those 15 second intervals and my salmon never became uniform in color. Therefore I gave up, stirred it together, and I'm eating it.... If I don't post again for a long time, you now know why..