Monday, June 27, 2005

The love of my life

found me!

I just don't know how to explain what has happened over the last month. I guess to most of you, this is insane and very impulsive. But to those that know me and "the guy" it's par for the course. We dated while I was in high school and then into college. We had a wonderful relationship back then, had lots in common and were in love. We shared everything, went everywhere together, supported each other, really were a partnership - a couple. I didn't give marriage much thought back in those days - I was too anti-establishment, but mostly just didn't give it much thought. So, we didn't discuss it, had an argument, and then broke up. It's terrible, we missed out on so much fun together and the years of being deeply in love.

Now, all these years later (and I do mean ALL these years....) he has found me, after years of searching off and on again. My name has changed due to marriage, but fortunately about 5 years ago, I changed it back to my maiden name, listed it in the phone book and went on about my merry way. I've had a history of bad relationships and things just never seemed like they would get any better. I have been willing to settle.......not a good thing at all. I want a partner, someone that wants what I want out of life and already has his shit together. I want to be with someone that loves me more than I love myself.

Well, I found it. Well, technically, he found me. I just got back from visiting him after all this time. We got along great, as soon as we saw each other, we were happy as could be. I just can't describe the feelings we have for each other. But I do know, that I am going to move so we can be together. He can't leave his job, he wouldn't get a job in Ohio, so sometime in the near future, I'm off to California for good. I can get a job out there and live with him, happily ever after. He was my first and ONLY TRUE love. All my life I searched for what I had with him to begin with. I was just too young to understand what I had in him. And now, by the grace of God, I have been granted a second chance and I'm taking it. I praise God for His goodness and kindness to me.

Now, I'm off to the planning time for my major move...job, house hunting, moving, cleaning out closets, lightening my load. putting lots of goodies on eBay, and more to do.

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Graduation Party

should be lots of fun

Today is my daughter's graduation party, should be a blast! We're having a 2-part party: from 2-5 family time, open house style, wine, sodas, sandwiches, chicken, fun! then tonight 8pm + PARTY!! Tons of people are coming, we're pitching tents, making places for people to crash, drinking tons of alcohol, playing cornhole, poker, drinking games, bonfire, PUS have a DJ! Big party! Big Fun!!

Then tomorrow, after I recover and clean up, I'm heading to my friend's house to spend the night so she can take me to the airport to go to visit my friends in California! I am absolutely excited!

More when I get back!

Friday, June 17, 2005

Last Day At Work

well, almost....

Today is my last "official" day on my job. I have client meetings all day to explain what is giong to happen after I leave. It's been my brainchild, the organization of my department, but for my client they just need to know how they fit into the new organization. It's going to be wierd telling them goodbye. I've worked with them for 4+ years and have so much project knwoledge that is in my head, I know it's invaluable to them. Plus, I have made some lasting relationships and have touched a couple of lives personally. It's been very fulfilling. I hope that as I move on, that I find such wonderful clients on the other side.

I just conducted an early morning meeting with my team in Mumbai, India. It is bittersweet leaving my position. I will miss my clients and team members tremendously, I just need a change to be happy. So I embrace the unknown future and will take a piece of everyone with me into my new "chapter of life". I feel like I have been preparing for this for years and now, the opportunity is here and I am about to sail into a new adventure.

If any of my co-workers and team members read this blog, please know that I hold a very special place in my heart for all of you. You have supported me, made me the success that I have become. It's always a good team effort and I have never been disappointed. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you each a life of peace, prosperity, good health and happiness. Please keep in touch with me.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Vacation next week

California, Here I Come!!

I'm heading west next Monday, going to vacation in California, look up old friend(s), go to Yosemite, and many other great places :) One of my friends has already planned so much to do. I'm totallyl charged, I've been to California before for work, so I didn't really get to go anywhere and see too much. I am hoping to have plenty of time to run around, visit, have fun, and see the sites. I plan to take lots of pictures, so I'll post them and share.

It's a great vacation, right on time, I'm leaving my job and it's a time to destress and get ready for my next opportunity.

Saturday, June 11, 2005

Blast from the past

a welcome hello

wow, it's been quite a week, getting to talk to my dear, old friend. I have been happy to hear how he's doing, what's been going on all of these years, how successful he's become and where he's landed. He's proud of me too, my kids, my career, my house, that I survived all of these years and am happy. It's great to catch up.

I have learned so much about him and I think he's learning more about me. The things we like, dislike, accomplishments and so on. I highly recommend reconnecting with old friends. Only good can come out of it! Especially when they were such great friends at one time.

Can't wait to see what I'll learn about him next week. :)

leaving my job

not much more time

I survived this week of meetings, brain dumps, plans, joy, and tears. It's really hard for me to leave. But I am going to go to my new job July 5th. My friends at work will be greatly missed. I know they are going to make some improvements and my team will benefit from those improvements. I am determined to leave a legacy behind that I can be proud of and can look back and see how great things are.

Good luck to everyone on my team and please carry on the vision that we have defined.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Resignation

I'll miss my team......

I gave my notice at work yesterday and it's been quite a whirlwind. I've been trying to recap all of my duties, making lists of tasks that I do, preparing to download 4 1/2 years of responsibilities in a 2-hr meeting - not sure how that will go. But I'm looking forward to the challenge of doing something new.

The sad part is leaving my team and my clients. I have built quite a great group of people that are dedicated to the purpose of pleasing our client, creating fantastic web applications and generally making our company money. I think that they are the best group ever! I appreciate them more than words can ever say. I will miss them.

Now, my quote is more fitting than ever:
"Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

--- Sir Winston Churchill, November 1942

Blast From the Past

it's been at least 30 years!!
Wow, I can't even say how many years it's been, it's been sooooooo long. I got a phone call out of the blue from an old friend from high school. In fact, we dated for 3 years, in high school and in college. We were so much in love and dedicated to each other.

This guy was an animal lover and we had dogs, birds, cats. He was a great mechanic, car lover and best of all he loved me dearly! We were free living and free loving with each other only, PEACE LOVE ROCK & ROLL. That's the era that we knew each other during.

And now, all these years later, WOW!!! A BLAST FROM THE PAST!!!! It's always good to reconnect with old friends. And lately, I'm on a streak.

"Now this is not the end.
It is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

--- Sir Winston Churchill, November 1942

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Busy Week

and VERY exciting!!

This week was a FANTASTIC week! My youngest daughter's high school graduation was the highlight of the week. I was so very proud of her as she marched across the stage accepting her diploma and congratulations from the principle and school board members. She is so smart and beautiful. I know she will go far in this world! It was great to be in the room with all these kids that I have known since grade school and watch them all in their first BIG step of success on the road of life.

We took lots of pictures and she was smiling sooooooo big! I thought she was doing a Crest White Strips commercial!!

One thing that did happen, I accidently dropped my camera and broke the battery door. I didn't think it would cost that much, but to my surprise my first repair quote was $195! Wow! I was taken back by that quote. So, I'm going to shop around a little to see if I can get it fixed cheaper than that. If I can't I am just going to use "good old ducktape"! Yep, ducktape. Why not? It's only a dollar for a roll vs. $195 for the repair. I love to spend money, but I'm not that crazy....

Then, I had another great thing happen! I have been on a job search and by the end of the week, I had accepted an offer! I'm giving my notice tonight via email, then will print out the letter and sign it when I get in the office tomorrow afternoon. I'm giving a 2-week notice, then off for vacation. I'll start my new job July 5th. I'm really looking forward to the new challenge. The company culture is one of independence with interdependence, plus respect for my skills, a spirit of sharing and support, entrepenuership with corporate support and is CLIENT FOCUSED! And NO OVERTIME unless I WANT IT!!! Everyone that I have met is wonderful. They love working there, so I know that I will too. It's everything that I desire in a company culture. I am really looking forward to the change. I've been extremely stressed at work for the last couple of years. I just can't continue down this path or I'll have a heart attack or something! I am so thankful that God opened this door for me and helped me through the process. I will miss my team and my clients very much. Although, I know that someone else on my team will take good care of them. I have a great team and I have enjoyed leading them, mentoring them and celebrating with them when we win new work. I thank them for being so great!!

Today, I was practicing my guitar and Guitarman was here listening to me. He complimented me on my smooth chord changes and how clear my chords sound. I've really practiced and continue to as much as I can every week. Now, I'm playing one song per week to learn it completely. Right now, I'm learning Beatles' songs and my song for last week was "Yesterday". This week's will be "Let It Be" and I already kind of know "The Fool on the Hill", so I'll finish that one too. I love it. I am finding that it's really relaxing and at the same time challenging to learn something new. I love to learn new things, so this has been a great outlet to me.

Can't wait to see what the next week delivers to me!!