And Now For The Good News!

Remember Elaine from Seinfeld? LOL

Before you get any ideas... No, I do not dance like that!!  But I have been doing a happy dance...

Why, you might ask?  Because right before Thanksgiving, I was offered a new job!  That's right... after 2½ years, hundreds of resumes sent out, half a dozen interviews later... I've found a full time job with better pay.  Woo Hoo!!

The worst part of this experience so far was giving my employer of 15 years notice.  Ironically, my last day was the same day I started... my 15 year anniversary.  Surprisingly, the people I told reacted totally different than I expected.  The last two weeks went fairly well.  Most of my coworkers were happy for me.  I received quite a few emails from clients wishing me well and telling me how much they've enjoyed working with me, which was nice to hear.  The ladies I worked close with took me out to lunch, and my performance coach brought in a pizza-size chocolate chip cookie treat that said "Good Luck".  He said he truly didn't blame me for leaving the company.  Let's just say morale hasn't been the best since the old firm was acquired by a much larger one.

I didn't realize until after I left my old job last Friday how much animosity and dissatisfaction I'd been harboring toward the company. It seemed like it all was lifted when I walked out the door for the last time as an employee. I will definitely will miss those I worked closest with. The worries about when/if I was going to lose my job due to future changes in the pipeline I am not going to miss. I will also not miss sitting around twiddling my thumbs and wasting the degrees I've spent thousands on because that employer didn't seem to care about putting my skills to good use.

Today I started my new job!  A full time job with good benefits -and- much better pay.  I had a good first day!  Most of it was spent doing orientation and meeting lots of new faces... none of whom I remember, lol.  I first applied at this company over a year and a half ago...  didn't get the staff accountant job that time.  When I saw they had another opening, I applied again.  Why?  Because when I was there the first time, I was able to observe employees and got a good feeling about the place.  Both HR and the comptroller talked about how the company still had a "family feeling" to it even though they have approximately 1000 personnel nationwide.  When I interviewed this time around, I got the same vibes I did the first time.  Employees seemed happy and were very friendly not only to strangers (me), but to each other.  Employees have told me what a fun place it is to work at.  I'm hoping this is true!  Tomorrow is a "food" day... one of the vendors is catering in something called a pasta crock with garlic bread for lunch.  Several employees pointed this out of me today, lol.

COOKING
Last week, I decided to make an Italian Roasted Chicken.  I've made this a few times before and it's soooo good.

After the BF and I devoured it (not in one sitting, mind you), I made chicken and rice soup in the crockpot.  I had enough soup for like 4 meals!

TREASURE HUNTING
One of the local thrift stores had a sale on books.  I picked up quite a few.... for only $1.80!

STITCHY STUFF
See the frog dancing?  Know why he's so happy?  Because he spent a good amount of time at my house this past weekend!

 

I worked on Sampler aux Bouquets II and I frogged the tree medallion.  And I frogged it again, and again, and again!  Ugh.  I finally finished it and moved onto another section.  So far, so good... no frogging.  Here's what it looked like before:

 

And now:

 

I also finished my 3rd ornament for an exchange.  Once it arrives at it's new home, I'll be able to show a pic of it.  I told Glenda (the recipient) the postal clerk had to pry it from my fingers because I wanted to keep it, lol.

 

I received a really pretty ornament from Chris in the SNS2 Ornament Exchange.  I don't think the photo does it justice...

The white on the ornament is actually beading.  So pretty!



 

I also received an ornament (two actually!) from the CSE Ornament exchange from Lori.

 

Cute little birdies

 

Until next time,