My Last Days at Work - Part II

Today was supposed to be my third last day at work.  I have been keeping a count down, and today was to be the day.  As noted in several past posts, I have been let go from the job I have had for the last two years. 

Two days ago the remaining loan center employees were called together and we were told that we would be done at 3:00 that day.  (There are only 5 people remaining in my old department & that number includes 3 managers.) That was Wednesday so, the way I see it is I got two days of vacation.  I wanted to put this post on the day that I have been counting down to.  I wanted this post to sit for a little while, so could process the early release.

As soon as the Big Boss called us all together I knew the words before she spoke them.  I wasn't sad.  I was RELIEVED!   It has been fifteen months.  Fifteen months ago the company's stock fell to an all time low.  Fourteen months ago half of the department was laid off.  Thirteen months ago we started the new year in high hopes.  Twelve months ago faith began to fade.  Six months ago the FDIC shut us down & the Spanish Overlords took over.  Five months ago we were offered severance.  One month ago we started to wrap up the good byes.  Really, we have been saying good-bye for one year and two months. 

I am glad that this downhill ride is finally over, but I want to tell you my friends that you all have enriched my life like no other.  I will miss eating lunch (and sometimes breakfast) everyday with you all.  Tea Time will be missed.

To you Andrea, Chantel, & Dee you all have become my sisters.  It took me a long time to know what it means to have and be a sister, so I hope you know how you all have impacted me. 

To Dan, Aaron & Omair, You all have been the best male friends I have ever had. Thank you for being my friends.  Thanks for the final Tea Time toast.  You guys rock!

Rock Trivia Part II

So, I had a friend (let's call him "Yo-Your Blog is Wrong") email me today about Mike + The Mechanics.  This is my attempt to put the record straight.  Mike Rutherford (which is also the name of my childhood  BFF's dad--The cat's name's sake's father) left Genesis to create a new band, and is expained in further detail here:

From: “Yo--Your Blog is Wrong”
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 1:45 PM
To: HAM
Subject: Blog
      So I was reading your blog yesterday and wanted to tell you that Mike and the Mechanics did not use to be Genesis.
    Sincerely,
“Yo--Your Blog is Wrong “

From: HAM
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 1:46 PM
To: “Yo--Your Blog is Wrong”
Subject: RE: Blog
     Please explain further.
HAM

From: “Yo--Your Blog is Wrong”
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 1:52 PM
To: HAM
Subject: RE: Blog
     It was a solo project for Mike Rutherford, bassist/guitartist for Genesis. Basically he got tired of sitting around with his thumb up his [rear-end] every time Phil Collins wanted to make a solo record so he decided to do something on his own as well.
“Yo--Your Blog is Wrong”

Thank you, "Yo-Your Blog is Wrong", for the information.  I wouldn't want to be mistaken for a crazy dog of the female gender co-worker with the same last name.  Yo, "Yo-Your Blog is Wrong",You're Pretty & Smart.

This Week's Morning Prayer

Every week there is a Morning Prayer that is spoken aloud during Sunday service. (One, among many. Obviously.) Sometimes I cut them from the bulletin, and place them in the little notebook that I carry in my purse. This prayer made me laugh, and I really like things that make me laugh. So, instead of putting this little treasure in my purse, I have taped it to my computer monitor at work.

Here is the prayer that was said in Sunday service yesterday:

Bake of us, O God, a bread of worship. Take this Sunday morning crust of the week and, through your blessing, let the yeast of the Spirit rise. We bring our crumbs of courage, pita of prayer, kolache of listening, and the tortilla, challah, rice cake and naan of our diversity to be shared, so that our community may truly become the Body of Christ in this place and for all your world. Amen.

Have a laugh today. I hope your day is great, and don’t forget you’re pretty & smart.

Challenge:  Who can tell me what the picture is instructing?
1.  It's not a lanyard.- Thanks Rick for playing!
2. It is how to braid!  Thanks Jennifer D.! 

The picture is specifically how to make a challah loaf.
 

D&C Lunch Bunch

Almost everyday I have plans for lunch. There are about 7 co-workers that are in my lunch bunch, and there are at least 3 of us that go everyday to eat together. Our group is very diverse. We have Dudes & Chicks. Some of us have kids & some of us don’t. Some of us are natives, and some of us are transplants.

As my time runs short I am taking time to snapshot the great times that I am having with these people that I have become friends with. I am sure that we will all remain friends, but we will never spend the amount of time that we have had since working together.

Yesterday there were 4 of us that went on out for our daily bit of fellowship. I happened to be the only chick there, and I was the only one without kids. My friends were telling me about what it is like being a dad, and what fun they have with their kids. I truly saw joy and bliss in their faces. It was really a great scene.

My wish is that James and I are able to share this kind of love for our children with the world one day.

Rumor disclaimer: I am not now expecting a kid. Just wanted to share this heart warming vision to the masses.

My Last Days at Work - Part I

Have you ever had a last day at work?
I have been out of college for about 7 years, and I have been lucky enough to have always had a job. I have moved on from two (about to be three) jobs in my professional career.
My first last day of work was by my choice. I was really unhappy in with the environment that I worked in, and I really needed to get paid more. I put myself out there, and found another job in about a month. I knew that the day I put in my two weeks would be my last day, so I was prepared. My co-workers were a little perturbed that I was leaving, but none the less I went on.
My second last day of work was not by my choice. When they laid me off my boss let me work all day while she was waiting for the HR representative to show up. When the HR Rep finally showed up they called me in, and let me go. They stood over me while I cleared out my desk with tears streaming down. I didn’t want to face my husband. I really take my financial contribution to our household seriously. It really was a slap in my face, and it took me several months to gain my confidence back. If I had to sum up my second last day of work I would say it was awful.
I am soon approaching my third last day of work. The Spanish Overlords that has bought the company I work for has decided that my department has got to go. We were told about 4 months ago, and there was a target date. Now I have been given my sever date. February 19th is my third last day of work. I imagine it will be like the end of a long running sitcom.  You know that the characters will move on, but the audience will no longer be able to observe it. 
I have had a lot of time to be prepared, and I hope that the universe will let me be fruitful in my job search. The main point is that I know. I know that I will be leaving, and I won’t be finding out the day it happens. I am thankful that I have developed the friendships that I have. I am thankful that my managers have appreciated me. I am thankful that I won’t have any regrets about moving on from this place.
My future is bright, and the reason I know this is because I am pretty & smart.

Lunch with Andrea

In high school I hung out with a small group of friends, but really never felt like I fit in (an ongoing theme in my life). There was one particular friend that I really hit it off with. If I was at a friend's house it was usually hers.

I did not go to my 10 year class reunion (several years ago), so I had missed an opportunity to see her. My husband's grandmother had passed away and there was a funeral to go to, but honestly I hadn't planned on going anyway.

The Saturday after Christmas I had lunch with Andrea-that's her with the big bright smile during our band days (that's me under the shoulder ropes). She was in town to see her parents, and had thought to connect with me. We hadn't seen each other in many years, maybe 10 (I know that I visited her when she was living in the dorm at UT), and a lot has changed in our lives. Andrea lives in Arizona. She works for a well known international company. She is investing in real estate. What different lives we lead!

When I used to hear about the adventures of my former classmates (several are medical doctors, and one even went to Korea to teach English before going to medical school!) I had felt like I hadn't accomplished anything. I almost felt like that with my old friend. Almost.

It's just not true that I haven't accomplished anything. I won't go into them here, but the things I have accomplished in my life has been done so the world may somehow be positively impacted, and not to be compared and/or diminished when placed in the same light as others.

So, it was so great to see my friend Andrea. I hope that we are able to stay in touch because it is so hard to find quality friends. Andrea's path was and is different than mine, but different isn't better. Andrea, thank you for your friendship then and now. I hope that you know how appreciated you were in my high school years, and I hope you know you're pretty and smart too.