* AND THE ANSWER IS "I'M JUST SO SAD" *

The short version about the happenings of the past few weeks, concerning my part-time job that I absolutely LOVED, but I wasn't pleased about, is this: I turned in my resignation on Friday morning. (via email in response to a hateful email I rec'd)

The fact that I'd worked on various blog posts, and then by Friday they were no longer relevant was because I'd written about the ups and downs at work for the past couple of months, and I was hoping for the outcome that I really wanted...but didn't take place.

It's way too long of a story, and actually probably similar to what many employees go through. I gladly took on every new task given to me, whether it was in my "job description" or not. I always kept my cheerful, upbeat attitude.

When I was given a former employee's job duties, without an increase in pay, I didn't ask for a raise since I hadn't been there very long, and thought I'd ask about it when my one-year anniversary arrived, which would've been this November.

Recently my three days a week, six hours a day schedule was changed to only two days a week, and yet I was supposed to keep up with everything I was barely keeping up with! Then I began to be blamed for things/mistakes I hadn't even done (too many people working on the same project) and the last straw was receiving snippy emails.

It got to be that I never knew what kind of personality I was going to be dealing with the days I came to work. And I could tell things weren't going to get better any time soon. So, I felt the need to quit...Life's Too Short, I Don't Deserve This....kind of thinking.

I had to go in this afternoon, Labor Day....kind of ironic, huh?....to get all my personal things because I was told they do not allow people with a financial position to work after they have resigned.

And in spite of all this ...I'm SO SAD! I loved my job. I really liked the people, both employees and customers, and my boss...when she was the way she used to be.

I feel like I lost a part of myself. A part of my identity. I don't even want to look for another job. I feel like I lost my best friend.... I cried all the 25 miles home.

* IF IT'S SUNDAY, I MUST BE GOING TO WORK TOMORROW *

Last week I almost worked my "normal" schedule at my job: 18 - 20 hours. 
The week before that I worked 40 HOURS. I was exhausted! My paycheck was nice, but I just can't do that very often. I still LOVE my job and all the people, though, which is wonderful.

~~~

So, I've been pretty lazy this weekend, as most weekends go. It's been so hot this summer. Yes, we DO have hot and humid summers here, but I don't remember so many days 90⁰ and higher. I make myself perform the necessary chores: laundry, and cooking and cleaning up the dishes. :)

~~~

This afternoon I worked on putting together a shadowbox frame with photos and mementos of Vern. I finally was able to begin it without being in tears. I need to get some spray-on adhesive and when I'm finished, I'll post a picture of it on here. We need to get lots of other regular frames, because we have so many photos we'd like to hang on the walls.

Here's one I've never posted before. It's from June 2011.

 

Vern was rolling around on the carpet and

I was shocked I actually got him in motion!

 

How I miss him....

 

P.S. Please take the time to stop by Robert Brault's blog. The man is a genius!! https://rbrault.blogspot.com/  

* TEA CUPS, TEA POTS, & CHICKENS...OH MY *

 "Bookie" commented on my Nostalgic Sunday post of March 20th, that she...and probably others...would like to see photos of the tea room area where I work. So, here are a few I took before I left work yesterday. I have many others that I've taken at various times, but they are mostly of the Home Décor part of the store and I will share them sometime soon.  

 

Tea cups, mini teapots, and sideboard

Part of the tea room
(Please excuse the glare. It was sunny!)

Private room in the tea room

Part of hallway between Home Décor and Tea Room (See the steps and hand railing on the right? That leads to more gorgeous items to purchase, the custom design room, the owner's office and my office!) P.S. I just LOVE those ceramic chickens! I bought two smaller ones (not shown) for myself and one of these larger ones for a friend's birthday.

* After reading Lisa's comment about the ceramic chickens, I realized they really aren't ceramic....they are more like concrete! But not too heavy! Just wanted to verify that. AND, the Imogene's website is getting ready to be updated asap, although every single item won't be able to be listed. Just ask me what kinds of things you like, and I'll let you know what we have!

~~~

 

As I've stated before, I love my job! I'm surrounded by beautiful things, friendly and caring people, and yummy food! What more could a gal ask for? If you live anywhere near Wildwood, Missouri or will be vacationing in the St. Louis area, do stop in at Imogene's! If you're going to have lunch, make reservations, even if it's only for two!

 

 

♪ Tea for two, and two for tea... ♪

 

 

 



* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

I don't think I mentioned I've been working a LOT of hours lately. I still love my new job, at Imogene's, and honestly enjoy being there, even though my "schedule" started out being two days a week, Tuesdays and Fridays. The word schedule is in parenthesis because I've actually never had a consistent schedule! But that's okay, too. (One of the words that describes me is Flexible! As long as I don't have any other mandatory activities, and I'm needed...I'm there for ya!) So, I worked this past Thursday, Friday and yesterday, mostly on the sales floor...so mostly on my feet...for our Spring Fling...and in between did some of my office work, too. The shop and tea room is closed on Sundays...thank goodness, so today I'm home recuperating. I go back again tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday because one of the employees' last day is Wednesday and she has things to still go over with me...She is moving to Kansas City, and I'll be taking over some of her duties and I'll get my own office. 

So, what does that have to do with Nostalgic Sunday? Nothing, really! Except that because of my job, I attended a three-Saturdays-in-a-row QuickBooks class at our local community college....and that experience, my friends was the one and only college course I've ever taken! (If you've read my memoir, you are aware of the fact that I never was able to go to college, even though I desperately wanted to. And I dreamed about going someday....being a 40-year-old freshman, etc. But, as the quotes at the top of my blog reveal....sometimes, we become the person we never knew we could/should be!)

In honor of the occasion, my sweet husband surprised me with one of the college T-shirts. He said he thought it was something I should have. Now, that's why he's a "keeper" even when he thinks I say "polka dots" when I really say "tiny squares!"

Our Wedding Day - February 1983

 

Awww...so young...!