Happy Anniversary to Me

As I sit here and sip on my icy cold beer, I reflect back on the last 18 years of my life. I have had many changes in my life - some good, some bad and some great - and realize that I thank God for all of them.
You see, it was 18 years ago today that I started working for my employer. I was just 23 years young and engaged to be married. I started as an assembler on the line, making a whopping $5.35 an hour and thought I was on my way to financial stability. Compared to my previous job as an Assistant Manager of a gas station/convenience store, the money was great. I really enjoyed working on the line and was promoted to an "A" operator right off of my 90 day probation. Wow...another dollar+ an hour....I was surely on my way!
In September of that year (1989) I married my first husband, who also worked there. The relationship that seemed so blissful began to sour with me after year two. The man that put me on a pedestal, seemed so friendly and kind, turned into a jealous, out of control, control freak. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as horrible as it may sound, but as time progressed, the jealousy and need to control increased and by the end of year seven, I was moving into my own apartment. We were divorced shortly after. During that seven years of maritial bliss, I was offered and accepted a job as a clerk in the Shipping Department, which I welcomed with wide open arms, as I was tired of the constant bickering of the ladies on the lines. UGH! As much as I enjoyed running the machines, I just could not deal with the fighting and bs anymore, so off to Warehousing I went. Yay....another raise and promotion #2 in less than two years with the company.
I met "the guys", some of which I still work with, others that I am still in contact with even though they sought "greener pastures". This is when the fun really began. Back in those days, we were all young partiers that shared in our passion of the sport as often as possible. Although our Manager and Supervisor we both pricks (in some twisted cool way) we never let that stop us from making the most of our days...and nights. We were like a big happy family back then...good times, good times. We watch each other get promoted, demoted, marry, divorce, start our families and watched the newbies come and go. In 1993, the "palace" was built - a state of the art Distribution Center that put all other's to shame. With most of the original crew in tact, we continued with our good times and hanging out...the best we could. Families were growing, as was the tension to perform, so our ability and desire to hang out outside the job was decreasing, slowly, but surely. One of our supervisors was moved to Receiving, and with that, some of the crew.
In 1995 came promotion #3 to a Lead Person in a small division of shipping. Talk about a trip! For as small as that area was, there was a hell of a lot that needed done and I have to tell you, the demands on us were ridiculous. In 97' shipping ran into serious issues with the Clerk that replaced me, so I was moved back into the Shipping office as a "Traffic Coordinator" - promotion #4. It also helped save a Foremans job, since the company did away with that position.
After 8 months of bs, I had enough and luckily, a position opened up with a former co-worker/Supervisor in the Receiving Department and I was fortunate to get the position (Promotion #5) as a Warehousing Coordinator, which is the position I still hold today, 9 years later.
In the last nine years, I got to know a really great guy that I had known for years through the job, but didn't know well and started dating him. Shortly after, I lost my Mother, got engaged to "the great guy", married him and had my first (and only, thank you very much!) child. I also inherited two great step children, ages 12 and 14 who I treat, feel of, and love as my own.

Sadly, Friday is my boss' last day with the company. He is one of the "guys" that I started working with in Warehousing 16 years ago and talk about in my first post. He has, by far, been the most supportive, fair and patient person I have ever had the pleasure of working for.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with and for him and will miss him beyond words. As I sat at my desk today, reflecting on my 18 years with the company and ordering the food for his farewell lunch, I got tears in my eyes.

Happy Anniversary to me.......

New Year....Big changes

Happy New Year! Yeah, so I'm a little late for most, but if you are Orthodox, I'm not too far off!

2007 is already proving to be a very challenging year for me, both personally and professionally. It definitely will rank very close to 2001 when I became a mother.
My boss, whom I have worked with in one capacity or another over the past 16 years, has resigned. If we would have stayed in the "one capacity or another" mode I would probably be handling this better however I have been his "right hand man" (as he refers to and introduces me as) for the last eight years. I am NOT dealing with this well.
I am beyond happy for him and his wife for this opportunity. I am jealous of him because of the opportunity....I am sad that I am losing not only the best boss I have ever had, but two friends. Honestly, I am not sure how long I can or will survive at work without his support. Oh, you obviously don't know but our once great company has been reduced to a (HUGE) corporately owned bunch of pussies! Obviously, neither of our styles.
On the personal note, it's money issues. Yeah, I know, who's not having them? I'm sure to an extent Mike and I would still have them, but my desire to provide the best childhood memories, for all three kids, causes me to spend more than we should. I am my mother's daughter that way but I can tell you this....the memories of my childhood are great and for that, I am forever grateful. I can only hope in the 7 years that I have been in the older two's lives and the 5 since our daughther was born that my efforts have paid off, and that they too can look back on their birthdays, holidays, etc. and have the fond memories that I do. That being said, this is obviously the year of becoming financially responsible. (please pray for me!)
I am so on top of my game in many things and where big things, like oh...let's see...politics, world events and money are concerned, I am an ostrich. I bury my head in the sand and keep telling myself "Igorance is bliss". The years of ignorance have to end...it's time for bliss...in the real sense.