I'm Back (With an Update)

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2004
I'm Back (With an Update)
2
Wed, 08-03-2005 - 4:03pm

Judy:

Congrats on being the CL. When did that happen? I like your picture, very nice. Cat, my friend, how the heck are you? And First, how are you? I looked at Cat's roll call, and these are the only people I remember, everyone else is new. I bet you guys thought I fell off the face of the earth. I just had a lot of bad things happen to me all at once. Here's my update.

The last time I was on the board was St. Patrick's Day. My company was going to be moving to a new building by the end of April. I spent a lot of weekends at work cleaning up and packing boxes. I was in the new office exactly one week, and I was told by my office manager that I had 30 days to "improve" or I would have to leave. I had been with this company for 8 years. I had been having trouble with one of the partners, but my boss always stuck up for me. This time, there was nothing he could do. So, after not looking for a job for 18 years, I was back on the market. It's hard for someone my age (I'll be 40 in December), with 20 years experience, to find a job. Believe it or not, no one wants to pay for experience any more. Anyway, my 30 days was almost up, when I heard about a job opening from my accounting manager. Little history here. I was at a law firm for 11 years. Then there was a split, and I went with my boss to start the new firm, the one that just let me go. I heard about an opening back at my original employer, so I sent a resume and went for an interview. Luckily, even though I left, I never burnt any bridges, and I left on good terms. They had an opening, and I was hired in June. I've been here for almost two months now, and I LOVE IT. I really love my job. It was like coming home. Things have changed a lot in 8 years, but there are still about a dozen people that I remember from the first time. Everyone has been really nice to me. And the attorney that I work for now, well, I sat by him for many years the first time, although I never worked for him, I knew what he was like. He's great to work for, and so are the other two attorneys that I have. I have no complaints, except that I went from 4 weeks vacation down to two, and I can't take a day off until January. Yuck! But, I still feel extremely lucky and grateful to have this job. At the time, I thought losing my job was the worst thing in the world -- but it has turned out to be the best thing. I no longer have a black cloud of stress hanging over my head every day like I did at my other place of employment. I just come to work, do my job, and no one bothers me -- it's great. Any way, that's enough about that. Like I said, things all worked out for the best in the end.

My kids are having a great summer. They just turned 8! I can't believe it. They finished summer school, and have passed onto to start 3rd grade in September. I had them in camp at the park district all summer, and they loved it. We didn't take any vacation this summer becuase of the cruise we took in March. But I have two small camping trips planned for next weekend and the holiday weekend. I love camping, but my kids have never been -- so we'll see how they like it.

And, I'm happy to report to all you people who remember me -- that Mark and I are still a couple -- it's been 8 months, which is two months longer than the first time we dated. We have become really great friends. We can talk for hours about anything and everything. I've told him things I've never told anyone before. He has met my twins a few times, and he met one of my sisters a few weeks ago. I haven't met his parents yet, but they know about me and he talks about me all the time, so I believe that's progress. Mark was very supportive to me when I was looking for a job. He would call me right before an interview to give me a pep talk. I don't know how I would have gotten through that bad time without him. We are going out of town for a concert together this weekend -- our first road trip together.

West, I'll never forget the advice you gave me when I contemplated seeing him again. You told me to take the chance, and even if it ended in a train wreck, to enjoy the ride. That is the attitude I have taken all along, this time around. Mark has always had reservations about getting into another serious relationship after the last one he was in, which lasted 5 years, ended. He wanted to take things slow and not rush. So, I just let things happen naturally. I can honestly say, that if things ended tomorrow, that I truly enjoyed the ride. I would be very sad though, because I would miss one of my best friends, because that's truly what he has become. But I don't think about tomorrow, I just enjoy the moment. As long as things are progressing, and they are, I'm happy. Sometimes it takes baby steps to get to where you want to be. We both enjoy each other's company, but we also enjoy our freedom. For right now, that works for both of us.

I'd love to hear from Judy, Cat and First to see what you have been up to these past few months. I'm back now, and I don't intend on going anywhere.

Donna

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-13-2005
Wed, 08-03-2005 - 4:47pm

Thank goodness you posted your update, Donna!! I was just thinking of you this morning - saying I wonder what happened to Donna? If she is okay and with Mark!! Too crazy!!

The best things in life happen on their own, slowly, at their own pace. So you are right on, girl. And enjoying the ride, too!!

This is all good and I am so glad you are here.

I think I have been CL for a couple months - not sure - seems like yesterday - but we have a lot of wonderful people here and some of the oldies, too.

Please stick around!! I missed you!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Thu, 08-04-2005 - 5:09am

Hey DARLING! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK ON THE BOARD!!! Guess what? Just another 26 days and I am going to be living in Wilmington, North Carolina!!! I checked flights and they have direct flights from Chicago to Wilmington! :) A great opportunity for you, as soon as I get settled, to fly down for a weekend getaway and hang out on the beach with me.

Your story about the job search, really hit home.... I've been noticing that no one wants to pay for experience or that they want me to have a degree on top of the experience that I have. I would really like to know, WHY anyone feels I need to have a degree after 18 years of extensive experience from the best companies in the world with awesome references to boot. Matter of fact, the company I work for now, doesn't hire anyone without a degree, but they made an exception with me. I find it quite ridiculous that a piece of paper is more significant then 18 years of awesome experience. Makes NO sense. I am also terrified of finding a job. I haven't found one yet and I know that it might be hard to get what I want or the pay I want.

I'm so HAPPY that everything has fallen back in place for you. That is TOTALLY AWESOME about Mark! He seems like such a catch. And you deserve to have such a fantastic, carling and loving guy.

Don't the kids just grow up WAY to quickly? I can't believe Alex is going to be in 6th grade and in 6 years she'll be graduating from High School! YIKES

How is your health doing? Everything back to normal? How was your vacation in April?

Ok, Donna Darlin, I'll let you answer. I'm sooooooo glad to hear from you again my friend.

Big hugs and smooches,
Catherine