Friday MEaNderings

It's Friday and my second day off in a row without having to be out of town or doing something work related...feels quite strange, but in a great way!  Yesterday I did all my baking and cleaning and so today is just going to be running the trail, lots of dog time, and a dinner party at a friends house.  My kind of day!  Of course I work the entire weekend, but at least I had what felt like a weekend.  And I can't complain because once Sunday night rolls in, I'm off for 9 days!...7 of which will be spent in sunny San Diego with Mr.  Can Not Wait!!

Of course as any true pet parent can attest...I am feeling the anxiety already of leaving my boys for that long. While I know the friends I have watching them love and care for them...I just worry that they'll feel abandoned or something will happen while I'm away.  But that's just me and my neurotic self...plus my dogs are the best...and I'll miss them probably more than they'll miss me.

This has been a bit of a wacky period between stressful work weeks for both Mr. and myself...and some weird family health stuff going on with some of my family members back home.  It seems that all is winding down though, so hopefully once we get outta dodge we can just "peace out" and have an amazing adventure.  Then when I get back from that awesomeness I will go full on into mission "Find a new job before this one kills me".  I am the kind of person that picks a career/job and sticks with it...digs in and makes it my own and creates a family of coworkers that make it awesome.  Unfortunately, in my current location my position is set for failure with the current line-up of support roles and team members and there seems to be a black cloud over the entire place.  There is a reason my role has had 5 people in it in the last 2 years...which of course no one told me until they shoved me in and fed me to the wolves.  This location was not on the short list when I was hired and I do at times let my mind wonder to consider where my head would be if I had been at one of the three places I was hired for...whether I would be digging in and having a blast like I did in my training location. Or if I needed this challenge to spur me on to something I really am meant to be doing.

One will never know...but I just have to take what I can and push forward.  I do know that at the current pace I will not survive the fall...let alone holiday.  I was pretty clear in my interviews and conversations with the upper ups that I wasn't seeking a position that would have a negative impact on my personal life and my ability to live outside of work...and that's just where we landed.  Between the erratic and exhausting schedule...to the constantly understaffed support network...it's just a never ending shit fest.  While I know that I use every minute of my day and I always leave with things better than I found them...I am tired of never feeling like we're moving forward and not constantly doing things over...and over...and over.  There has never been a period where things have set and moved forward and I'm beginning to realize that I think that is just how this location is with the volume and level set for it.  I here my peers in other locations talking about their routines and days they have set aside for planning and preparations...which is a joke in my location because if I'm not on the floor making shit happen...I'm already behind.  Planning happens at home for me...in the car...on my lunch.  And guess who's over it.  This gay...i mean guy.

Ok...enough bitching.  I am going to sit back, watch a little netflix with my dogs...go for a run...lay out...and relax the fuck out.  Here's to a beautiful weekend for everyone...and if you're hiring...I'll take it.

Cheers - Rin

            

I Survived!

Training month was long and hard...much like the guys in all the pics I find...but I made it out alive.  Wasn't sure where my final location was going to be, but that came in a phone call on Friday.  It wasn't one of my original short list, but apparently I excelled enough through training to be moved into a key location where I'm told, "if you want to be known and have your name in with the big guns, you want to be here".  So I jumped at that chance and I should be starting there sometime this week.  Lots of variables in play as to how my transition into the new role goes and how the team takes to a new person at the wheel.  I'm going in with all the positives in mind and going to do my best to make an impact and move it in the right direction...gotta get up the ladder!

So, other than work life is grand.  Of course I sat down to do my taxes today so I can see how much fun Mr. and I can have on our trip out to SoCal, and realized I should invest finally in a CPA and try and get as much as possible so I'm not relying on the ol' web to give me a figure good enough to make me smile.  I wanna go out there to show him around and have a great time...not just a good time.  So, I at least organized receipts for my biz and have it all set.  I also redid my budget for the next few months and will be tracking things better to hopefully make a bit of a move in a year or so and get some real estate under my belt.  Not here though...hence the move and the need to prove myself to the big wigs...so they support a transfer and I can keep climbing.

Mr. is still amazing me everyday and brought home a huge orchid with double blooming stems that took a giant pot when he repotted it.  I swear if we get any more plants in this place we'll be giving garden tours this summer!  The palm he brought home a month or two ago is thriving and busting out in the bedroom.  Can't wait til it's warm enough to get it on the patio and get that side of my room back.  The boys are well...a bit stressful getting them through my training as my day away was stretched to the max with a massive commute that had me gone 2 or 3 hours more than normal...not fun for two needy dogs!  But they did well with the Mr.'s amazing help and many meaningful and appreciated potty walks before I got home.

I'm more ready for spring and summer than I can even bear to contain.  I just want my flip flops and moonroof back in action.  And my patio for sunbathing.  It's been so mild, I can't complain...but i'm just ready for that switch and confirmation winter is gone.  Here's hoping it's over soon.  Anywho...thats about the reader's digest version.  I've been working, thriving, and trying to keep myself sane in the traffic.  Very much looking forward to an easier and shorter commute and solidifying myself in a new team.  Watch out!

So, for my first post in a month...here's a bit of fashion that is not so street legal!
love it...keep smiling!  - Rin

    Check the site out and fill up your closet...you know you want to!  Slick It Up

Shades of Grey

Two days into training and it's going well. I feel very confident in my prior experience and how it relates to my new role with a new company. I just have to absorb as much as I can during the training while not wanting to shoot myself each day with the added 2.5 hours of driving to my training location. So grateful I stuck with my guns and didn't let any locations that would have been a slightly long commute...knowing my farthest drive could be 9 miles is a relief...and not the 30 each way I'm doing for training.

But I have once again been very blessed to have Mr. and his help with the dogs. He's home before me, walks, feeds, and entertains them to the point that they're calm and content when I get home. Something that is no easy task for sure. So amazed at his ability to just take on things and not stress or get caught up in the action of it all. He's more supportive and positive than anyone I've ever been with...and I'm so grateful to have him in my life. I will gladly be making dinners, coffee cakes, desserts, and anything else he wishes for in gratitude for then support over the next few weeks. Not that I don't already do that...but you know.

Came home last night and pan seared some chicken potstickers from Trader Joes. So good! I made a miso broth with some sauteed bok choy and added that to a few dumplings in a bowl for a quick dumpling soup. So good on a cold windy night! And leftovers for lunch today too!

So, that's about it. Just trucking along. Hoping everyone is keeping up with their healthy new years spurred lifestyle changes and feeling good! - Rin

Hump Day

Twas the night before...

Hope everyone is having a super and extremely happy xmas eve...and hoping it all rolls into tomorrow and the new year.  Having a great time with Mr., the fam, and my boxer kids.  Sipping a French Press after my morning walk along the creek and just enjoying the peace of it all.  

If any of the guys below came down my chimney...lets just say he'd get more than cookies and milk. :-) 

Happy Christmas! - Rin 

Tattoo Tuesdays