My second act

photo credit: @MauiMinnie702/Maria Hannon

Well, I have big news. Huge news. Good news. After about 8 1/2 months of sending out resumes, going to interviews (some good, some worthy of the book I'm going to write), and being rejected more times than I care to remember...I am ecstatic to announce that I HAVE A NEW JOB!

Yep.
That's right.
Stop the presses.
I. Have. A. New. Job.

And I have to say...I'm very excited about this new gig. I'll be working from home. I'm an independent contractor. And I'll be working with a social media marketing firm. So, let's recap - working from home means NO daycare. Independent contractor means....NO green polyester trolls as my boss. And social media...well we all know that makes me happy.

So I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say this is a win-win-win for me.

And damn I feel good.

I told a friend of mine a few weeks ago that I'm looking at this new job as my "second act" - a new beginning for me, my professional life, and a new definition for me as a "working mom." I've done the part-time office job and I've done the 40 hour a week office job from hell. And now? Well now I'm setting my own hours. I'm making my own schedule and I'm going to be doing something I love.

This is my new beginning.
I can finally shut the cover on that last chapter.
That story is finished. Over. Completed.
Now, a new chapter begins.
A new story starts today.
And I think it's going to be a good one.

Worldess Wednesday - Happiness is...

What a difference a year makes

One year ago today I was starting a new job.
A job that seemed to have great promise and potential with what appeared to be a great organization.

I remember interviewing for this job thinking how great it sounded and then when I was offered the job I was ecstatic! I really thought it was going to be something wonderful.

Yesterday, I quit The Job.
And I could not be happier.

What a difference a year makes.

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I've been dealing with a lot of stress and other nonsense at The Job. My former boss was (still is) a bully. The person in charge of our regional office wasn't much better. I had a few "work friends" who supported me, but I also felt like I could only trust a couple people at the office. All in all it was a very toxic, unhealthy place to work.

Last week I started having horrible stomach pains. I couldn't eat. It was a constant pain. And it lasted all weekend. Kevin and I discussed my options and decided it would be in my best interest (physically, personally and professionally) to just walk away. Be done with these people once and for all.

And so, on Sunday afternoon, I drafted my letter of resignation:

I am tendering my resignation from XYZ Organization, effective today July 18, 2011.

I can no longer come into work every day and be confronted by bullying and hostility. Your negative attitude toward me and my position in this organization has been amplified over the past few months, creating a hostile and toxic work environment that is affecting me professionally, personally and physically.

There have been numerous occasions where your actions were not only unprofessional and hostile, but they fall into the definition of workplace bullying. Your communications with me are written in a way that is not only threatening but also creates a sense of intimidation – ‘do this or else.’

My mid-year performance review in February spoke to my leadership with the communications team and my exemplary work with the [organization's] social media accounts, and yet in March of this year, everything changed. I was verbally assaulted by another manager who called me an inappropriate name while I was at the corporate office and at the same meeting you chose to ridicule my need to leave a meeting early so that I could drive nearly four hours home to pick up my daughter at school. You told me it was “stupid” and I needed to decide what was more important. And then in mid-June I was subjected to nearly 45 minutes of verbal intimidation and veiled threats of termination – all based on unsubstantiated stories and false accusations.

I find it very unfortunate that an organization driven by a mission, a promise and, most importantly, a law that speaks about being considerate and caring and respecting others turns a blind eye when directors and managers bully their employees, treating them with a complete lack of respect and total disregard for their feelings.

This organization continues to create an atmosphere of bullying, intimidation and hostility directed not only toward me but also toward other individuals who have experienced the same mistreatment by management. That being said, I refuse to be bullied any longer.

This resignation is effective today and I will be leaving the Toledo office immediately, upon cleaning out my personal items.

Sincerely,
T.C.

I really REALLY wish I could have seen The Bully's reaction when she opened her email and saw this. I think it would have been a priceless moment. I kind of hope it ruined her morning if not her entire day. [And yes, I realize that is probably petty, but trust me when I saw this woman deserves to have a bad day or two. Karma is a bitch and it will come find her eventually. That's all I'm saying.]

As I pulled out of the office parking lot for the last time yesterday morning, it was as if a huge, heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt like I could breathe again. I felt relief.

I. Was. Happy.

Yes, things will be a bit 'tight' financially until I find a new job. But a friend pointed out to me that this is a fresh start - I can do anything I want. The world is my oyster. There's a great big beautiful tomorrow....OK, you get the picture.

I am going to refocus on what I want to do and on what is going to make me happy. I am going to spend a bit of time reflecting on what it is that I REALLY REALLY want to do. And then I'm going to work on doing it.

My laughing place

Some days all I need to do is look at a photo of the Magic Kingdom and all is right with the world again. Some days it's the small things that make a big difference.

One door closes, another door opens....and I could not be happier

So, today was my last day of work at The Job.

I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am.

Yesterday, I received a job offer for a new gig - and I accepted. This new job is EXACTLY what I've been looking for and it's with a local office of a national organization (no, I'm not naming them here) and I am SO FREAKIN' EXCITED about it.

Today I gave my two week notice.
My now ex-boss was not pleased with the news.
It was a very unpleasant two minute conversation.

Yeah. That's right. Two minutes. Tops.
There was no 'well, what can we do to keep you here?' (um, nothing!) or 'sorry to see you go'.
It was just "Oh. OK. That's a shame. Go tell HR."

Whatever.
I even offered to stay 'on' until next Wednesday (because it was the RIGHT thing to do!) but I was told that today was my last day.

So, at 1 p.m. this afternoon I walked out into the hot, humid sunshine a "free" woman.
And it felt so good.

There have been so many things wrong with The Job since the day I started - lack of communication, promises broken, blah blah blah. It was a bad deal from the get-go and I'm happy to be moving on.

I am very excited about this next chapter and what it will mean to me professionally.
I feel good about this job.
Really good.

I just want to be happy doing something I love.
This new gig is quite possibly what I want to be when I grow up.
:)

Things that make me happy!

Well, color me happy! My friend over at Quiet Oasis nominated me for the happy award...and now I must list 10 things that make me happy!

So, here goes:

(1) My family - I am blessed to have a wonderful, loving husband and two beautiful and healthy little girls -- and I do not take that blessing for granted. We might not always get along perfectly, but they are my source of joy and happiness on a daily basis.

(2) Starbucks - No really, Starbucks coffee makes me happy. Very, very happy. Whether it's a Pumpkin Spice Latte or my old regular (venti skinny caramel macchiato), once I have a Starbucks in hand, all is right with the world again.

(3) Writing - I am passionate about writing. Whether it's my blog or a press release or something as simple as a tweet, I love writing. It is my outlet, my release, my passion.

(4) Target - This might sound stupid and shallow to some (but it's my list and I don't care), but if I'm having one of 'those' days, I can head to Target, grab a cart and just wander and it's like retail therapy. I think they pump 'happy air' through the stores or something. It's relaxing and refreshing and if my local Target had a Starbucks it would be a win-win for everyone!

(5) Pedicures - 'Tis true. Pedicures make me happy. Normally I hate it when anyone touches my feet - I've had enough foot issues (3 foot surgeries and 1 broken foot) to last a lifetime and therefore my feet are off-limits to most. Except the person giving me a pedicure. I could sit in that chair for HOURS -- so relaxing. I wish I could get a pedicure more often --- once or twice a year is not enough!

(6) Twitter - Yes, social media makes me happy. I have this wonderful group of friends online (my Disney peeps, I've blogged about them before) and they are an amazing, funny, supportive group of people and they make me happy. I know a lot of people don't "get" Twitter and that's fine and dandy...but I get it and it makes me happy.

(7) Friends - Whether I've known you for 30 years (Cindy and Allie) or just a few months, if I call you friend I mean it. Life is too short and there are so many ways to connect these days -- and I think friends are the glue that holds it all together. So to my friends near and far - you make me happy!

(8) Road trips - Sure, it's easier to fly but then you miss all the fun stuff! I love taking road trips - packing the car with pillows, blankets, books, food and of course the kids and heading out on an adventure. We used to drive to Florida a lot when I was a kid and I think maybe that's where this comes from....or maybe I'm just a bit crazy.

(9) "Good" mail days - You know those days when you get your InStyle and three or four good catalogs (like Lillian Vernon, The Lakeside Collection and Williams Sonoma) and then you can just cuddle up on the couch with your venti Starbucks and have a good night? Yeah, that's a good mail day.

(10) Disney - You didn't really think I'd leave this off the list, did you? If it's Disney, it makes me happy. We all know this. My family says I'm obsessed and to that I say "yes, and what's your point?" I love Disney World, the Disney store, Disney-related blogs, my Disney friends...if it's Disney, I'm loving it! [And I could go on and on about it here, but I won't....for now]

...and there you have it...10 things that make me happy (in no particular order)

And now, I'd like to pass this award on to a few people (hey, it's my blog, I can give it to more than 1 person!):

I nominate:

Zannaland, Slice of Heaven, and the Disney Driven Life for the award!

Six years later...

Happy anniversary honey.

Love, me.

10/05/02