Tuesday, January 31, 2012

When it's Time for Change

I've been working since I was 12, as soon as I could babysit, I was doing it. My family was low middle class, at least that's what I tell myself. I would babysit all summer, so that when school started I could buy my school clothes, mom bought my coat, and everything else was up to me.

I don't know how not to work, I have always had two and sometimes three jobs. Over the last 17 years, Henry has always been my second job, I took care of he and his wife until she died, and it was her dying wish to me that I take care of of him until he either died or wound up in a nursing home. About three weeks ago, he hemorrhaged and wound up in ICU they fed him four units of blood, and discharged him home, that night he fell out of bed and wound up back in the hospital, and now he is in the nursing home. He seems to think they're going to send him home after 30 days, but he'll be 97 in May, and I really hope they keep him. He's too old to live alone, he can hardly dress himself, and he's lonely. At least in the home he has companionship and someone to help him with his daily living needs at all times. He's better off there.

A week and a half ago, I quit my job. I would have been there 5 years in March, I made decent money there, I took on more responsibility than I should have, and I gave them all I had to give. They trusted me with everything, and when it snowed a foot overnight, rather than making sure I stayed safe, I was reprimanded for not putting chains on my car, walking to work, or riding the bus since I only live two miles away I had no excuse for not being there. I quickly realized my true value. I wrote a letter of resignation, and I walked to the office at 7:15 in the morning, in an ice storm, packed my desk, left my letter and walked home.

You may be thinking, a foot of snow, really, you quit because of a foot of snow? It was the last of many heavy straws that had been placed on my back. This is western Washington people for the most part are idiots here in the snow, we are never prepared, and we don't know how to drive, a foot of snow closes everything here, everything except the office where I worked.

So now for the first time in my life since I started babysitting at age 12 I don't have a job. I'm working on my aprons, so I guess technically, I'm self employed. I do have some really good prospects, I was offered a job last week, but it didn't pay enough. I have a phone interview today, and another interview with a different company on Friday. I'm waiting for the right job, not the first job, because now, I know my worth.

28 comments:

  1. I wish you all the best in your search for formal employment it that is what you really want.

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  2. Thanks Lee,
    It is what I really want, it's what I need to be able to retire someday.
    Do you Pinterest? If so, I need to follow you, and if not, let me know, and I'll send you an invite, it's my new guilty pleasure.

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  3. I, too, wish you the best.  I hope you find just the right job where you are appreciated and made to feel that you matter. 

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  4. Good for you for taking a stand when you did!! Sometimes employers forget that personnel are PEOPLE with actual lives and stuff outside of work. I'm sure the right thing will be waiting around the next corner!

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  5. I'm sorry about Henry, but it sounds like he's in the best place.

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  6. Whoa... I didn't get to finish.
    When a job starts interfering with sanity, it's time to leave. Good move

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  7. Good for you! It's really hard to quit a job, or to quit anything you've been doing your whole life, and i hope you enjoy the time off! 

    "I'm waiting for the right job, not the first job, because now, I know my worth.
    " that is going on a post-it on my refrigerator, right away. excellent perception!

    =)

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  8. GOOD FOR YOU! 

    I wish you the best in finding a place that deserves you. 

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  9. Good for you.  I wish I was that brave.  

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  10. Well said Madge.  WF was stupid for loosing you, and the way they push their employees time and time again, they will have a hard time keeping anyone longer than a few years.  You are too good to be treated that way.  Also, I'm so sorry to hear about Henry.  Good luck on the job prospects...keep us posted!

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  11. Thanks Jenny, it helps that you know where I'm coming from, literally ;)

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  12. I hope Henry stays in the nursing home too...he'll be safe and cared for there. You already know how proud I am of you. They were lucky to have you and should've realized it. I have no doubt you'll find something better. A job that makes you happy with an employer who values you.

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  13. Sometimes you just have to take a stand for yourself, I'm pretty bad at it, and this one was a biggie. I had some regrets for a few days, but the longer I'm away from there the less anxiety I have. I know that no matter what happens we'll be fine.

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  14. Everyone deserves to be respected L. I have always resigned myself to doing what's best for the short term, but deceiving myself that it's a long term situation. This time, i'm thinking long term, and I'll get through the short term one day at a time.

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  15. He really is in the best place in town, very clean and they're good to him.

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  16. You take your time, and make sure it's a job you'll enjoy, with the right employer. Most of our waking hours are spent at work. If we want a happy life, we must enjoy our work.  Too many people just see it as a means to earn money and nothing else.  Money is important but so is our well-being.  Good for you for taking the plunge.

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  17. That's sort of my older and wiser take on it Babs, life's too sort, and I'm not getting any younger. It's time to stop working for a paycheck, and start working for retirement.

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  18. So sorry to hear about Henry but it sounds like he is being cared for and the company would do him some good. That must be really hard for you. 

    I'm also sorry about the job but you are worth more than just someone who can throw some chains on their tires. When I lived in WA it snowed about half an inch and it stopped the city completely. You just have too many hills. 

    You will find a great job and if you don't you can easily employ yourself. I think you will see you have made a great decision.

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  19. I'm sorry about Henry too.  Poor old guy.  Bless his heart.

    I'm not sorry you are smart enough to get out of Dodge when it turns "dodgy" at best.  You will find the right place and the right people will be really lucky to get you.  I know you are going to land something wonderful, so I'm not worried.

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  20. I'm sorry to hear about Henry. I'm sure they'll take good care of him, and now you can enjoy visiting him without the pressure of caretaking.

    As for the job, never forget what your worth. They were lucky to have you, too bad they didn't realize it. Make sure your next employer does!

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  21. You're going to find a better job and hopefully one that knows what your truly worth. Also, I think you should really look into expanding making your aprons into a real business. xoxo

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  22. Some employers don't have people skills, which is why they didn't value your work or you as a person. In a tight economy, they are even worse, for whatever silly reason. The best will come out of this. And I wish Henry all the best. I know he misses his wife.

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  23. Me, too!  I mean, first I baby sat, then I babysat and had a paper route, then I had a job at the newspaper, but I was still baby sitting --- and on and on and on!

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