Originally Posted By wonderingalice ...from my first day with the company until my last one on September 25. Well, actually we've had Mr. Alice's birthday trip to SF and Calistoga planned since February, so my last "physical" day in the office will be 9/23. Still trying to figure out - and it's going to take awhile - if I'm truly a "victim" or not. Our company has changed hands and a lot of us across the country with a lot of time, knowledge and experience are being let go and that hurts. I'm the local "rah-rah"... My work is intangible (i.e., I don't create revenue $$) except to the employees who appreciate my work towards their morale. And so, I'm out along with two others in our department. I'm not crazy about the new management style - you'd be hard-pressed right now to find anyone who is - and I think that leaving may be less painful than staying. My coworkers that will remain are concerned and hoping for smoother sailing by the end of the year. No crybabies here (yeah, right... ;-) I'm fortunate to receive a year's severance pay and to be old enough and have tenure that qualifies me for what they call "Special Early Retirement." Which means I can begin collecting a pension in October 2010 at age 52.5 with only a 2.5% reduction in the amount received per year that I'm under 65 (instead of 5% if I didn't qualify). Not a bad deal. Financially we should be okay. Emotionally... Well, so much of what we do as corporate little people shapes who we are - especially after so many years. I'm feeling a bit melancholy and I'm definitely not looking forward to my last couple of days and saying "goodbye" or even "'til later" to all the people I know and love there. Literally, everyone here at our Nevada division (and many more outside the local team) knows me. For better or worse, they've seen my name via e-mail several times a week for nearly 16 years. Invitations to company and community events or to volunteer for the same... "Hey blue Chevy Cobalt, your lights are on..." the weekly (now bi-weekly since things have really slooooowed down) newsletter... Fundraisers to benefit ill or dying friends, coworkers and retirees and memorial notifications for the same... Generator tests at building locations, and on and on and on. They curse me for some of it and love me for some. I even let them put me - "The E-Mail Queen" - in a dunk tank for the American Cancer Society - had a lot of takers for that one! I'm going to miss them all. And I'm going to miss having that place to go to everyday. I'll find plenty to do around here and I will be heading out into the wild blue job-hunting yonder in a few months. Hope the blues keep their distance. 2009's been one to forget - My mom passed away in May, my cat died a week later and I lost my job. Real banner year, eh? Thankfully, I have my rock - Mr. Alice. We celebrated our 5th anniversary in August and will celebrate his 55th birthday in awesome fashion (a Giants' game - his team, not mine ;-) in just a couple weeks. He's the best and has very broad shoulders and big ears. And we're going to have more time together now than we have during all the time since we met. THAT I'm looking forward to VERY much! And I have wonderful friends...
Originally Posted By mele Aw, I'm so sorry that 2009 has been such a tough year, alice. It seems to be that way for so many people; it's quite staggering. Good luck finding a new job but, more importantly, enjoy your few months of "vacation". You deserve it!
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter What a year. I'm sorry to hear that you've had yet another blow. I have huge admiration for your positive attitude about all of it, and I so hope 2010 is a vastly better year for you.
Originally Posted By smedley I am sorry too, it seems there is a lot of sad around at the moment. I hope that this is the start of a wonderful new beginning for you though, the opportunity to spend quality time with Mr Alice, and who knows even a great new challenge to inspire you
Originally Posted By beamerdog I'm sorry, too, that you lost your job. But I bet that with your bright personality that you'll find the silver lining in this temporary cloud! Can you do this type of work on a consulting basis?
Originally Posted By disney pete Alice it's time for you to wonder somewhere else and i hope wherever it is you are happy.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'm sincerely sorry that this year has been so sad for you. Your mom passing, your cat (was is Vickie?) and now the loss of your long time workplace. That's a lot to handle in a few short months. It sounds like you are trying very hard to take the high road and keep on movin on Way to go girl! In Calistoga, try to check out the local museum, the first room has a fun surprise in it Assuming you travel up 101, when you pass through Petaluma, wave to the left, I'll be waving back atcha Have a wonderful and relaxing trip! I'm looking forward to hearing how awesome 2010 is for you and the Mr
Originally Posted By officerminnie Ugh, a bad year for you indeed! I remember our chat at the Uva bar last December - you were thinking that this might be on the horizon. I am sorry to hear that you did fall victim to your employer's "housecleaning". You have great skills to offer though, and even in this economy I'd bet you will find new employment soon. Good luck and enjoy your bonus time with Mr. Alice!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Thanks very much, you guys... I truly appreciate your support and advice. *HUGS* 2009 has been rough for so many of us LP'ers. Compared to those facing serious illnesses, my worries absolutely pale. My dearest wish is for all of us to be healthy and happy for 2010. And yes... I'm definitely looking at consultant/freelance work. One of my close coworkers who took a very deep cut in pay now hopes to get a start-up business going to supplement her income and she wants me to do the related writing / PR work. Another friend has already tapped me to do the same for her HR consulting firm. I'm also planning on selling everything in the house on eBay. *LOL* Ya know, when ya hit 50+ it's time to start gettin' rid of unimportant "stuff." ;-) You got my sweetie's name right, anc2. She was such a dearheart. Thank you for the museum tip... I'll be waving at ya as we cruise by! I hope we'll see you all the first week of December this year! (Uva ROCKS... ;-)
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I love your attitude and send you some *hugs*. All the best (health and happiness)!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Thanks, WDWdreamin... Very much appreciated! And the same to you!
Originally Posted By Ursula Fun things to do on your last day: Plant seeds in the office plants. You know, like catnip and some "weeds." Put a fish under someone's chair or a centrally located file cabinet and duct tape it in really, really well. The smell won't start for about a week. Add non-toxic dye to the toilet tank water reservoir. Write a glowing letter to your boss of how much of wonderful person wondering alice is and what she did to make your day better. Sign it as the night janitor (or someone else who wouldn't know about your situation). Goldfish in the water dispenser. Leave some food in the fridge, hopefull some stinky cheese. Put it in a brown bag and don't put your name on it.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Good luck to you girlie. I know you'll do just fine. Onward and upward to the next adventures... ;>
Originally Posted By Dave >>>Put a fish under someone's chair<<< that could get really really gross to handle after. I would try some Limburger cheese under the seats. You'll still get the same affect
Originally Posted By Ursula <...that could get really really gross to handle after. >>> Yes. Exactly. And she won't be there, thus the humor.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice You betcha, Lisa! Thanks honey bunch! *Hugs* On the nasty food thing... Two-week-old unrefrigerated broccoli would do the trick, too. Heh. Yes, I know this from experience. A coworker put a container of it in a wastebasket that was subsequently ignored by the cleaning for several days. "Rank" doesn't begin to describe... *LOL*
Originally Posted By wonderingalice And... The Alices have more news on the job front. Da Mister is the latest Super Dealer selected to open City Center in December!
